Corn

Corn is in the R-4 to R-5 stage (dented) and is starting to drop ears. We hand shelled some corn and tested the moisture. The moisture was about 38%. Corn will need to enter black layer before dry down really begins to move along. With additional warm conditions, I would predict that harvest will begin in mid-September.

Soybeans

Soybeans are in pod fill. The rain should help to produce larger seed size. Lodging is a problem in some of the taller soybean varieties. We have some 2.7 maturity soybeans that are loosing leaves rapidly. We also have some 2.9 beans that are starting to yellow.

Insects

The soybean aphid population has crashed. We did some aphid counts early in the week and populations have dropped to 50 or less. Lady beetle populations have also increased which may account for the decrease.

Diseases

Northern corn leaf blight and gray leaf spot still are problems where we received rain. Sudden death syndrome is the primary problem in soybeans.

Fritz Koppatschek
ABG AG Services