IP Crop Network, August Report

This monthly feature from SSGA’s Agronomy Action Team highlights growing conditions for Identity Preserved crops from different regions around the country. Thanks to the states/regions that contributed this month. If you would like to contribute, please get in touch with David Kee or Shane Frederick.  

Illinois

The crop across Illinois overall would have to be considered very good. There are some pockets of less-than-average, but overall, it will be an outstanding crop across the state.

A good indication of the crop condition is evident in the amount of corn acres that had a fungicide applied. Yes, the rise in commodity prices have helped justify that decision, but growers will not spend money on a bad crop. I would have to say this is by far the most acres I have ever seen get a fungicide in Illinois. One little, small-town/rural airport had 13 planes flying out of it at one time, and the waiting list at was 12-14 days. The corn that got planted in the first week of April has progressed quickly and will likely be at physiological maturity, black layer, in another 10-14 days.

The soybean crop looks to have equally good potential at this point, as well. A large portion of these acres had a fungicide applied as well. It’s a little tougher to tell the exact acres, as most of this is done with ground-application equipment, not aerial. It will be important to continue to receive timely rains in August to fill the pods that are set, but most fields have set a pretty significant pod load. A few fields are starting to show signs of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). Time will tell how bad the infection is and what any potential yield reductions are. The positive side to seeing a little SDS is that typically you don’t find SDS in below-average beans. It takes that heavy pod load drawing on the root system to see the symptomology.

Coming off of the best wheat crop in recent memory, wheat acres likely will be flat at worst case scenario to slightly up. I don’t think Illinois will get back to 1 million acres of wheat, but it could be the second- or third-largest planting if we have a good fall. The price of corn will keep wheat acres at bay, but if something would happen to corn price in the next 60 days, then wheat acres could jump significantly.

Michigan

The soybean crop in Michigan has improved in many areas over the past month. While individual rainfall events have not been consistent or widespread, almost all soybean areas of the state have received enough to relieve crop stress from earlier dryness. Although plant size and appearance are not always accurate yield predictors, they does point to good potential yields. Pod set is well-established and will offer a strong number of beans per plant as long as future crop stress does not cause abortion of pods or beans within pods. Many fields are showing new growth and new blossoms on the top of the plant, which, hopefully, will result in some extra bushels per acre.

Soybean diseases of Phytophthora, Sudden Death Syndrome and White Mold will be reducing yields in some fields. SDS and White Mold are especially frustrating as the symptoms are showing up now and normally in high-yield environments.

This current critical pod-filling stage leaves room for effects on yield – both positive and negative. But most growers are optimistic as they prepare for harvest of the 2021 crop.

Minnesota

Minnesota is dry! According to the drought monitor, about 79% of the state is rated severe- to extreme-drought stage. USDA-NASS reports topsoil and subsoil moisture status 81% short to very short, with no sites reporting surplus soil moisture

Crop conditions are greatly decreased. Corn condition was at 36% good to excellent. Soybean condition declined to 34% good to excellent, compared to the previous week’s 36%. Spring wheat condition improved to 12% good to excellent, compared to the previous week’s 9%.

Wheat and small grain harvests are well underway (spring wheat harvested exceeded 32%), with multiple farmers reporting a lower-than-normal yield but higher-than-average crude protein levels. Corn and soybean crops are in the early reproductive stages with corn silking attained 96% and corn at or beyond 28% dough stage. Soybeans blooming reached 96% or greater and pod set reached 69% or greater. Yield estimates are highly variable. Actual corn and soybean yields in 2021 will be greatly dependent on rain fall and soil moisture loss as seed/kernels fill over the next six weeks. However, NOAA is predicting much of Minnesota to have a drier- and warmer-than-normal August and September.

Missouri

Missouri saw unseasonably cooler temperatures in July, with a statewide average temperature of 76.5°F (1.2°F below the long-term average). July was the fourth month in 2021 to have temperatures below the average. During the last week of July, there were several days in which areas of the state climbed into the 90s, but there were no daily accounts of us officially hitting 100°F. Most of our low temperatures were in the 60s with some in the 70s being reported. Most concerning, precipitation for the month was 1.41 inches above average (actual 5.12 inches), so this was the fifth consecutive month of above average precipitation.

It is estimated that 96% of corn is silking (2% below average) with 68% of corn in the state at dough. Running 20% behind the 4-year average, Missouri’s corn crop has only 4% at dent, and overall, 55% of the corn crop is in good condition. The soybean crop is progressing with 78% of the crop blooming and 48% setting pods, which accounts for 55% of the crop being in good condition. For cotton, 100% of the crop is squaring and 90% of the crop is setting bolls, but there are no open bolls currently. Rounding out our major row crop, we find rice at 60% headed with 55% of the crop in good condition. For pasture and range, the crop is in good condition (67%).

Fall army worm presence is showing up in the southeast. We are seeing this in late planted soybean crop and in some hay and forage crop. With pyrethroid tolerance observed with army worms, producers are focusing on modes of action that target larvae.

North Dakota

On Monday, northeastern North Dakota received some good rain amounts. Langdon received close to 4 inches, and other parts of the region received between 1 and almost 3 inches. Of course, high winds and some hail came along with the rain. No reports as to how much crop damage may have occurred.

The rest of North Dakota continues to struggle with drought. We were told that some soybean fields are being cut for hay, as the plants are not setting pods and hay is in such short supply. The soybean crop will be very variable with some average to above-average yields, but most of North Dakota will have below average yields. Throughout most of the state rains are still badly needed and could help soybean yields.

Corn that did not receive timely rains will be cut for silage, but farmers cautioned to test for high nitrates. Overall, the corn yields will be way below average, and some fields will be abandoned.

Spring wheat harvest has progressed quickly for most of North Dakota. Like every crop, the yields are quite variable. The bright side is that some fields south of Fargo had some very good yields and good quality.