IP Crop Network – September Report

This 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 to this report. 

Illinois
Harvest has begun in full force in the southern part of Illinois with early yield results being “above average.” Some of the early bean yields, maturity 2.5-3.2, are in the 75-90 bushel/acre range with a few small areas climbing to 100. April planted corn is dry, running 13-15% moisture with excellent yields. The “harvest line” will continue to push north at the pace of about 50-75 miles/week. Harvest in central Illinois will likely get running hard in about 2-3 weeks.

Many areas of the state, especially the southern half, are moisture-deficit right now. But looking at the forecast, the driest areas are in line for the tropical depression to bring some much-needed moisture. The late planted beans and the double crop beans behind wheat have likely had the top edge taken off due the dry conditions of the last four weeks. However, yields should still be average to just slightly above average. Fall seeding of wheat, cover crops and other fall crops is steadily happening as the time is right and crop comes off.

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

Michigan

The Michigan soybean crop is responding to shorter days and cooler nights by moving into late maturity stages. Most fields are in R6-R8 stage with exceptions on either side. Late season weather has not been extreme in any directions with a tendency for drier than optimum soil conditions in many areas. Where irrigation is available, water is being pumped more in the past three weeks than any other time this year. Hopefully dryland soybeans have access to deep soil moisture to develop adequate seed size.

While crop pests have not been a big concern in the past month, it is not difficult to find Japanese beetles, bean leaf beetles, soybean aphids, downy mildew, septoria brown spot, soybean vein necrosis, Sudden Death Syndrome and white mold. In almost all cases, these pests are below action thresholds and are being observed for management tactics in 2025.

The Sept. 9 USDA Crop Weather Report shows the Michigan soybean crop as 59% good to excellent and 29% fair with 26% dropping leaves. The status of dropping leaves is 5% above our five-year average for this date. Harvest dates should be a little earlier than normal this year.

– Mark Seamon, Research Director, Michigan Soybean Committee

Minnesota
Minnesota is drying down a bit, with 12.5% of the state reported to be abnormally dry. The Sept. 3 USDA-NASS MN Crop Progress reports “Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 12% very short to short, 77% adequate and 11% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 7% very short to short, 81% adequate and 12% surplus.” Many of the crop growth parameters are lagging the five-year average. However, the crops are maturing at an acceptable rate. An early freeze could seriously impact yield and quality of the crops.

Harvest is underway in Minnesota. The small grains are being harvested. Small grain growers are reporting variable yields due to the planting delays. Some growers are reporting issues with falling numbers. The excess water experienced earlier in the season impacted these crops. Soybeans are setting pods and reached 92% in early September. Reports of green stem syndrome, which occurred frequently in the drought years, have been nominal. However, this syndrome is usually not spotted until leaf drop occurs. The condition of the crop was rated 66 percent good to excellent.

As leaves senesce, germination of late season weed seeds, especially waterhemp, in soybean and corn fields have been reported. This may make the results of Harvest Weed Seed Destruction studies very interesting. Most populations are manageable; however, there has been increased grower interest in pre- and post-harvest weed control options.

Planting into moist soils may have introduced compaction issues in some fields. Given the current harvest (soil) conditions, growers are optimistic about completing fall field work and tillage after a successful harvest.

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

Missouri
Missouri has been dry the past three weeks with an average of 6.4 suitable days for field work each week according to the USDA-NASS crop progress report. The week ending Sept. 8, 2024, had 6.8 suitable days for field work.

Corn harvest has started across the state with 46% at maturity and 7% already out of the field. The crop is looking great with 82% rated good to excellent and the yields are confirming that in the fields that have been harvested.

Soybeans are nearing maturity with 14% dropping leaves, 8% higher than the 5-year average, indicating a slightly earlier harvest than normal. The soybean crop is also looking very good with 73% rated good to excellent!

– Blake Barlow, Director of Agronomy & Research, Missouri Soybeans

Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, the weather conditions for the week ending Sept. 8, 2024, were favorable for farm work, with six days considered suitable for field activities, according to the USDA-NASS crop progress report. Farmers completed the small grain harvest and began planting fall-seeded crops. Despite a dry week, moisture levels remained strong, with 80% of topsoil and subsoil across the state rated as adequate to surplus.

Corn development made good progress, with 90% of the crop reaching the dough stage and 58% in the dent stage. The mature stage had advanced to 5%. Corn condition remained stable at 64% rated as good to excellent, similar to the previous week.

Soybean pod setting was nearly complete, with 45% beginning to change color—two days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. About 10% of soybeans were dropping leaves. The overall condition of the soybeans improved slightly, with 62% rated as good to excellent.

Oat harvest was nearly complete, with 98% of the crop already harvested. Winter wheat planting has advanced to 11%, and there were initial reports of emergence in some fields.

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