IP Crop Network, June 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. You should also follow David Kee on Twitter for some of the latest, most-interesting information on agronomy and research that affect IP and other farmers.

Illinois

The dry weather is definitely the topic of discussion across most of Illinois. There was some rain this past weekend across the southern third of the state but not enough to end the moderate drought we are in. The crop is 100% planted with the exception of the double-crop beans that will be planted after the wheat crop is harvested. Wheat harvest will begin this week in the southern tip of the state and progress north after that.

The corn and bean crop both have held up well during the recent dry period, saved by cool nighttime temps and the crop being in the early vegetative stages. Some of the earliest planted beans should make the reproductive stages by the June 21 “magic date.” With the weather pattern now seemingly shifting to a more normal pattern of equal chances of rain, the crop in Illinois has a LOT of potential … just a matter of water.

– Scott Eversgerd, Field Agronomist, Southern Illinois, Pioneer Hi-Bred Int’l

Michigan

The soybeans in Michigan were mostly planted in the second half of May without interruption by rainfall. The offset to the positive experience of an efficient planting season is that soils became very dry causing some germination and emergence issues. Some fields were planted down to 3 inches to find moisture. Emergence has been better than expected in some cases where young roots found moisture and continued to follow it downward as topsoil dried further. Lack of rainfall has also caused weed-control issues from pre-emerge herbicides not being activated or incorporated by rainfall.

The first rainfall in nearly a month fell on June 11 across much of the state. While appreciated, it was less than hoped for with most areas receiving 2/10 to 6/10 inches of rain. The past week has shown crop stress on most crops from dry conditions. Top growth is limited and variability of growth in fields with varying soil texture is being observed. Crop status ratings by USDA have the Michigan crop at 30% good to excellent and 70% very poor to fair. Topsoil moisture is rated as 91% short to very short.

While the Michigan conditions are concerning to most growers, knowing the drought status of other soybean growing areas helps us to be thankful for what we have and optimistic about the future.

– Mark Seamon, Research Director, Michigan Soybean Committee

Minnesota

Planting season has been challenging this year, but it is largely completed in Minnesota. Some acres were planted in April, but the delayed thaw in northwest and the late-April/early to mid-May rains tightened the planting window. Some farmers have chosen to plant soybeans and other crops due to the extremely limited small grain planting window. Considerable replant of drown-out spots has occurred, but there have been few reports of filing of prevent plant claims. Crop emergence has been a bit variable.

According to the June 12 June USDA-NASS Crop Progress report and the Drought Monitor report, much of Minnesota is dry. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 41% very short-short, 54% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 35% very short/short, 61% adequate, and 4% surplus. Drought-impacted acreage (D0-D4) has increased from 27% on May 16 to 72% on June. 8 Abnormally dry soil is a problem in most of the state.

Pre-emerge herbicide application has been difficult. In some cases, farmers had to choose between planting or applying herbicide. Due to dry conditions, herbicide efficacy is a concern, but it appears to be largely effective. Over-the-top herbicide applications (like planting) are in full swing. Excessive wind speeds and heat have limited some application efforts. Crop scouting has started, issues are being managed as they reach critical levels.

Overall, crops appear to be in decent shape overall, and growers are still cautiously optimistic of attaining an average to above average yield. Timely summer rainfall will be critical for crop success.

– David Kee, Director of Research, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council

Missouri

The USDA crop update for June 12 has Missouri corn at 97% emerged with 45% of the crop rated as good. The soybean crop is 93% planted with 86% of that emerged, and the overall soybean crop is 42% good. Our cotton crop is thriving in the dry weather we’ve seen across the state with 97% of the cotton planted and 22% squaring. Overall, producers are saying that 64% of the crop is good. The rice crop is 99% planted and is doing marginally for its rating (46% rated as good). The winter wheat crop is being harvested with an estimated 20% cut and 45% of the crop is rated as good.

It wasn’t until this past weekend that most of Missouri saw rain. We had hit a significant dry spell here, and there are areas that are creeping into “severely” deficient moisture concentration for the soil. With some passing showers this past weekend, a bit of relief was seen, but across the entire state, we are needing more rain.

– Eric Oseland, Director of Agronomy and Research, Missouri Soybeans

North Dakota

Planting season continues in North Dakota. The seeding conditions are fair to good depending on the soybean growing regions in the state. According to the NASS report, topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies are rated adequate in most areas.

The northeast region continues to remain dry in many areas with soil moisture in the top 2-4 inches ranging between 8-15%. Scattered showers recently were variable within the region.

Northwest North Dakota received rain showers and thunderstorms last week. As per NDAWN weather data, total rainfall in the early part of the month ranged from 0.02 to 2.54 inches. Rain events were scattered, and the majority were more localized to the central western part of the state.

South Central and Southeast North Dakota received 1.5 inches to 4.8 inches of rain last week. Though generally adequate soil moisture is present in the region, topsoil moisture is marginal in areas among several eastern and southern counties.

According to the June 12 NASS report, we had 94% of soybeans planted, well ahead of 70% last year and 87% for the five-year average. Spring wheat, corn, oats, and barley planting were all over 95%. Canola planted was 96% while sugar beat planning was at 99%. Dry edible peas planting was 97% while sunflowers planting was 75%.

With the warm weather and warm soil, plants are emerging quickly after seeding. More than 60% of soybeans have emerged so far in the state. As seeding progresses, weeds are emerging and growing rapidly. As planting concludes, and the focus will switch to postemergence herbicide applications.

– Miki Miheguli, Research Programs Coordinator, North Dakota Soybean Council

Wisconsin

Wisconsin farmers have experienced an increase in fieldwork activities because of prevailing warm and dry conditions. According to the latest report from USDA-NASS, farmers had a total of 6.5 suitable days for fieldwork during the week ending June 11. The report indicates that soybean planting progress in Wisconsin is currently at 98%, with 83% of the soybean crop having already emerged. Remarkably, soybean planting is running ahead of the 2018-2022 average by 15%. The overall condition of soybean crops in the state is reported as 62% good to excellent.

Corn planting in Wisconsin has reached 97% completion, and 89% of the corn has emerged. Corn planting progress is currently 10% ahead of the 5-year average. However, there has been a 7% decrease in the overall good to excellent condition of corn, which now stands at 62%, compared to the previous week’s assessment. One of the main reasons for corn condition decline can be attributed to the very dry soil conditions prevailing in some areas of the state.

Although the warm and dry weather has facilitated the accelerated planting of both soybeans and corn, the lack of humidity has begun to impact the development of crops. As a result, some farmers have resorted to irrigating their fields to mitigate the effects of dry soil. The prevailing weather has provided favorable conditions for farmers to make significant progress in their planting activities. However, the dry soil situation and its impact on crop development remain a concern. Continued monitoring of the weather and irrigation efforts will be crucial for farmers as they strive to maintain crop health and productivity.

— Shawn Conley, State Extension Soybean and Small Grain Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Note: To see state Crop Progress reports from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS): click here.