IP Crop Network, September 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
Harvest is underway in all parts of the state. Depending on the region, yields range from well-above expectations to well-below expectations. In general, the central part of the state is seeing average to just-above-average corn yields. As you move north, the yields fall off a bit, and as you move south, it likely will be the best crop many growers have ever harvested. Central yields in the 220-240 range, which is kind of what is expected, while early yields in the south are seeing 220-270, on soils with a yield history under 200. 

The corn crop is drying extremely fast, and beans are ripening at an accelerated pace as well. As of today, not all growers are running, but by this weekend and headed into next week, things will likely break wide open. There are some slight chances of rain that could slow things a bit, but harvest pace will pick up quickly in the next 7-10 days. 

Early bean yields are very good, right in the range of expectations. There has been a very good bean crop in many parts of the state for the last several years, so everyone knew continuing the climb was going to be tough. There are some double crop beans in the southern part of the state that likely will be in the 60-bushel range, which is phenomenal. That coupled with the 100-bushel wheat crop, was a very profitable acre. 

Wheat acres are poised to see another increase as well. The past crop was the best most growers ever raised. That, coupled with the opportunity to sell June 2022 wheat for $7, and acres are going to go up.  

Michigan
The Michigan soybean crop is sprinting to the finish line as crop maturity ranges from R6 to R8. Most fields are fully yellow with significant leaf drop. A few days of good drying weather likely will result in the harvest of the most-advanced fields, while most fields likely will be ready to harvest by Oct. 1. 

Weather conditions throughout the past month have been variable across the state. In general, the crop condition and yield outlook have improved compared to one month ago. USDA, in its most recent report, is estimating the Michigan average yield to be at 50 bushels per acre. This is a two-bushel increase over the last estimate. In comparison to the potential that this crop has shown in earlier growth stages, some areas experienced dryness during pod fill, which reduced seed size and caused some seed abortion within pods. The youngest pods on the tops of plants that developed with rainfall in late flowering stages were not able to live up to their full potential as dryness followed as those pods tried to fill. 

If weather in the next month allows an earlier-than-normal harvest, growers should have adequate time to conduct soil sampling, tillage, nutrient and lime applications.        

Minnesota
Minnesota is still dry, but recent rains have eased drought stress a bit. The Sept. 7 USDA-NASS Crop Progress Report noted topsoil moisture supplies were rated 15% very short, 26% short, 54% adequate and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 22% very short, 37% short, 40% adequate and 1% surplus.” 

Harvest is underway in Minnesota. The small grains have been harvested. Small grain growers are reporting reduced yields, however, quality is good. Minnesota dry beans dropping leaves is over 90%. In the Sept. 7 report, dry bean harvest was 10% complete. Soybean coloring (changes in leaf color as the plant approaches maturity) exceeded 75%, dropping leaves exceeded 35%. Soybean response (derived estimated seed size and seed number per acre at harvest) from the recent rains have increased USDA-NASS yield estimate from 43 bushels per acre in August to 47 bushels per acre. 

The recent rains have also spurred germination of late-season weeds, especially waterhemp, in soybean and corn fields. Most populations are manageable, however there has been increased grower interest in pre- and post-harvest weed control options.  

Growers are optimistic about completing fall field work and tillage after a successful harvest. 

Missouri
The first week of August featured below-average temperatures, but this did not last long, as August proved too hot with several days in the upper 90s and lows in the upper 60s and 70s. Most locations across the state did not report triple-digit heat, and August was the hottest month for the June-July-August period. The summer patterns continued with Summer 2021 proving to above average, and there were above-average dew points in Missouri. August also proved to be drier than average, which made August 2021 the second consecutive driest August on paper. There were pockets of precipitation throughout the state, but the vast majority of areas did not reach their average rainfall totals for August.  

Many areas of the state are awaiting harvest, but corn harvest has begun in southeast and southwest Missouri. For corn, the state is 95% at dent with only 50% of the crop mature, less than 10% harvested at this time.  

The early maturing soybean varieties are beginning to turn. Pod set is almost complete for the state with 94% completed, and an estimated 30% of the crop turning color, which translates to only 10% dropping leaves.  

An estimated 17% of our rice crop is harvested, and in the cotton crop there is about 28% of the bolls that have opened.

North Dakota

With the exceptionally warm and dry conditions of the 2021 growing season, corn is drying down quickly across most of the state. In areas where the drought was extreme or exceptional, much of the corn that failed to tassel or produce an ear was chopped or baled a month or more ago in many cases. Early maturing varieties have already reached black layer in many areas, but later hybrids may still have a few days or weeks left to go.

Soybean harvest for most of the state will begin in about a week. Some early season varieties have been combined and, as expected, the yields are quite variable, from 10 to 45 bushels. The recent rains will help the longer-season soybeans and add some size to the seed, but for most the rains came too late.

Fall work is in full swing and fall weed control is a top priority. With the early harvest of small grains and the recent rains, weeds are emerging. Farmers are being encouraged to be vigilant and control these late-emerging weeds as kochia and waterhemp are capable of producing viable seed, even at this late date.