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

Harvest is in full swing with soybean harvest peaking for the past 7-10 days. The phrase we have heard the most describing soybean yields is, “I thought they would be a little better.” This likely is coming from the standpoint of better-than-expected corn yields, with beans just not being at the same level. Fields that last year were making 70-80 are making 60-70 this year. As we move to the lighter, more-variable soils, yields are even more erratic. Growers reporting 5-70 in the same pass across the field.

Field conditions are extremely dry with field and equipment fires happening on a daily basis. A lot of soybeans are being cut in the 8-11% moisture range. The late-planted beans and double-crop beans after wheat are definitely going to take a yield hit from the dry finish to the summer. What once were 50-60 double-crop beans are now going to be in the 30-40 range.

Michigan

Harvest of the Michigan soybean crop is in full swing. Early harvest was limited this year, but the first week of October allowed many growers to begin harvest. The USDA crop weather report from Oct. 2 showed soybeans as 14% harvested. The second week of October was more active than the first with most farmers making good progress. Field conditions are very good in most cases with combines, grain carts and trucks moving through fields without the ruts that seem more common in recent years. This is allowing good planting conditions for winter wheat, which may see an increase in acreage this year. Reports of low grain moisture have been reported in some places, while other areas have perceived that drying is slower than expected.

The dry conditions from this growing season are evident with reduced yields on lighter, soils but many other soils are producing better-than-expected yields. State average yields seem to be in line with our long-term average yield. If this happens, many people will be surprised to see average yields with such limited rainfall in many areas.

Minnesota

Minnesota is dry. Rain will be needed to ease drought stress. According to the Oct. 6 drought monitor report, none of Minnesota is rated D4 (exceptional drought). However, approximately 75% of the state is rated abnormally dry to extreme drought (D0-D3). An area in the southern third of the state (3.71 % of the state) is rated severe drought (D3)

Due to the dry conditions, crop harvest is well underway in Minnesota. Small grains have been harvested. Small grain growers report better-than-expected yields. Quality is decent. Silage corn harvest is all but completed. Minnesota edible bean harvest is almost complete with more 75% in the bins.  Soybean harvest, while a bit late, is in full swing. Excessive weed escape, soybean green stems and morning dews have impacted harvest speeds. Farmer yield reports vary from “Better than expected” to “My best year ever!”

Field work continues. Tillage happens when resources (drivers and tractors) are available, mostly as the morning dew evaporates. Soil temperatures remain above 50 degrees F, limiting fall N fertilizer applications. However, P and K fertilizer is being applied. There is a great concern expressed as to input availability in the spring and input price uncertainty.

North Dakota

Soybean harvest is in full swing in most areas of North Dakota, and harvest conditions are great. Small acres of late-seeded soybeans or lower areas of the field need more time until harvest. The hard frost we experienced this week may have minimal impact on soybean yield and quality because most soybeans are at advanced growth stages and are less susceptible to frost damage. We haven’t received information on yield, quality or test weight yet.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor Map, the majority of eastern and central North Dakota is in moderate drought, while some areas in western North Dakota are in severe drought. A considerably higher amount of precipitation is needed across the state to replenish the soil for the 2023 crop.

Weed escapes are becoming evident during this time of the year as we observe water hemp, kochia and others during and after harvest. Fall weed control is happening on some farms. After the small grain harvest, farmers are also focusing on soil sampling to test nutrients and soybean cyst nematode. Some white mold pressure on soybeans was reported this year.

According to North Dakota State University’s 2022 IPM Crop Survey, adult grasshoppers were observed in 90% of the fields surveyed. The highest densities of grasshoppers were observed in western North Dakota.

The drought from the past two years dramatically increased grasshopper populations and favored reproduction, which means grasshoppers may become an issue during the next growing season. No soybean aphids were observed in 87% of the soybean fields surveyed for the fourth year in a row. Bean leaf beetles are becoming a more common pest of soybeans in North Dakota. Beetles were detected in sweep net samples and defoliation estimates in soybean.

Defoliation ranged from 1 to 20% defoliation. Spider mites were observed in 30% of the soybean fields scouted and were most common on field edges late in the season, according to the NDSU Crop & Pest Report.

Missouri  

A very dry beginning to harvest has given farmers a great start in getting crops out across Missouri. However, the recent cool, fall temperatures have slowed drying in the field for both corn and soybeans. This is especially true for the fields that were planted a little later than average due to the wet spring. Many reports of green stems are making soybean harvest go very slow. Usually, green stems are in fields that received a fungicide or in the later-planted fields. Yield reports have been both positive and negative for both corn and soybeans, mostly depending on areas that caught rains versus areas that did not. A rain across most of Missouri early this week will likely keep farmers out of the field for the rest of the week. Cold temperatures look to settle in early next week, which likely will bring our first frost for a large portion of the state. 

According to the latest USDA NASS update, 93% of the corn crop in Missouri is mature with 53% of the crop harvested. Only 41% of the corn crop is rated as “good. Overall, 88% of the Missouri soybean crop is dropping leaves, and only 22% of the crop was harvested as of October 9, with 42% of the crop being labeled as “good.”  

For our other crops, cotton is pushing to maturity with 98% of the bolls open and 14% of the crop harvested. The overall crop rated good is 57%. The Missouri rice crop is closing in on being harvested with the dry conditions seen the past 30 days. Currently, 78% of the rice crop is harvested. The winter wheat crop is going in the ground with 12% planted, and 3% is emerged. For our pasture and range acres, 19% of the crop is rated as good.  

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

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.

Michigan
Michigan soybeans have rolled into the month of August with as much variability as the rest of the growing season. Much of the summer has been abnormally dry in most areas of the state. Some areas have gotten a little relief from this, as scattered thunderstorms have helped with soil moisture while others are still waiting for rainfall. The growth stages of late flowering and pod fill are making the dry conditions a bigger concern for yield loss. Crop health appears better than some expect with limited moisture. As pod development asks for more energy, nutrients and moisture from the plant, crop health may be sacrificed.

The most-recent USDA crop conditions report shows 49% of Michigan soybeans are in the good and excellent categories. This is positive and appreciated by those growers. For others, we may be learning how soybeans are able to produce with small amounts of rainfall.

Growers are hopeful that the remainder of the month of August will bring good weather to improve soybean yields.

Minnesota
After an extremely difficult planting season, soil moisture in Minnesota is variable. According to the drought monitor, about 34% of the state is rated abnormally dry to severe-drought stage. Northern Minnesota is in decent shape as is much of the area bordering Iowa. Other than that border area, the southern third of the state is dry. However, farmers remain cautiously optimistic. Soil moisture is variable, but sufficient for most of the state. USDA-NASS reports topsoil moisture supplies were rated 28% very short to short and 72% percent adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 24% very short to short and 76% adequate to surplus.

Corn condition was rated 7% very poor to poor and 63% good to excellent. Soybean condition was rated 5% very poor to poor and 66% good to excellent. Spring wheat condition was rated 0% very poor to poor and 82%, good to excellent.

Reports from several wind shield surveys, indicate weed-control programs were largely successful. However, canopy closure was delayed, and most farmers have used a second pass program to insure weed damage was limited, especially for waterhemp. Due to the dry and hot June and July, iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) flared up in many western Minnesota soybean fields. Other diseases/syndromes were evident but not widespread. It is a bit early for soybean sudden death, brown stem rot or white mold to become evident.

Crop growth is progressing, but slightly behind schedule. Soybeans blooming or beyond reached 81%, five days behind average. Soybeans setting pods reached 36%. Corn silking was at 75%, five days behind the 5- year average. Corn dough reached 13%. Spring wheat was 100% headed and 45% coloring. It appears, due to the delayed planting date, the harvest window will be very compacted.

Actual corn and soybean yield in 2022 will be greatly dependent on rain fall and soil moisture loss as seed/kernels fill over the next six weeks. This past weekend’s storm was very helpful. However, NOAA is predicting much of Minnesota will have a drier and warmer-than-normal August and September. Due to the late planting and variable soil moisture status, yield estimates are highly variable

Missouri
Corn and soybeans look average overall north of I-70. However, in much of Missouri, there’s a fear that, while the corn looks good, hot, dry weather during pollination might cause that look to be deceiving. Likely, we lost a lot of top-end yield potential (50-60 bu.) during that dry weather even though rain has picked up recently. South of I-70 some producers have begun chopping corn for silage to salvage some value as the drought is much more severe in that region. Some producers in southwest and southeast Missouri are weighing the option of chopping soybeans as well to supplement feed, as hay quality is very poor and soybean yields are not promising. Disease pressure overall has been low throughout the state although some of the hot weather has made symptoms of what diseases are present to be more prominent. Rains through August are going to be critical to finish out the soybean crop as soil moisture levels are still low.

Corn across Missouri was 95% silking in the Aug. 8 USDA report with 66% at dough. Corn rated good represented only 44% of the crop. The soybean crop is progressing with 78% of it blooming and 44% of the crop setting pods. Overall, the soybean crop rated good represented 42% of the planted crop. Cotton is progressing, and 91% of crop is squaring, which is behind this time last year (2021 was 100% squared). Only 67% of the cotton crop is setting bolls, which is 21% behind 2021’s crop as of Aug. 8. Overall, the 2022 cotton crop rated good only represents 47% of that planted. The Missouri rice crop is progressing, but only 35% of the crop is rated good with 16% rated excellent. To update our rangeland and pasture crops with the seen drought conditions across the state, the Missouri pasture and range condition rated good is only 20%.

North Dakota
Crop-growing conditions are ranging from good to excellent in the majority of North Dakota’s production areas. Relatively higher-yield potential is anticipated if there are timely rains and decent harvesting conditions in the fall.

Crops are being observed at a wide range of growth stages. Soybeans are heading to pod development stages — the most critical period for having minimal stress to maintain yield potential. Winter wheat is being harvested this week and following weeks. Spring wheat fields planted in early April are expected to be harvested in a couple of weeks.

Few foliar diseases were noted yet in soybeans, except for reports of bacterial spots in some fields. Crop protection efforts continue with high disease potential and insect pressure in certain areas. Grasshoppers remain a concern in certain areas where they are chewing up heads and pods. Soybean aphid and cereal aphid numbers continue to rise, but the majority of fields have aphid numbers that are well below threshold levels. Weed management activities at this stage are primarily focused on scouting for weed escapes and late-emerging weeds and monitoring weed population in the field.

Overall, crops are advancing quickly under good growing conditions in North Dakota. Timely rains in August are welcome as it is one of the critical yield determining factors.

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 can 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 Illinois soybean crop is all over the board. There was some early planting but not near the acres as in 2021. Some of the wettest areas of the state just finished planting in the last few days … so quite the spread from late April to mid-late June. The condition of the crop is almost as variable as the planting dates – some good stands but a lot of average stands and a fair amount of acres south of Springfield that had to be replanted. With the beans in the vegetative stages across most of the state, they should survive the current heat wave ok. Let’s just hope it breaks sooner rather than later.

Wheat harvest is just beginning this week with good yields being reported. The double crop beans will be planted right behind the combine, but in many cases, in the heart of the wheat belt, there is probably not enough moisture to get them up. It is not unheard of to grow 50-60 bu DC beans, but laying in dry dirt waiting for a rain to emerge is not a good start.

Michigan

The Michigan soybean crop was planted a couple of weeks later than planned, but planting progress caught up to average by early June. The USDA reported that the crop was 90% planted as of June 12 with 74% emerged. Planting conditions were mostly good with soil moisture and temperatures allowing consistent and timely emergence. Some challenges included soil crusting of fields that were planted while they were a little wet and a few areas that received heavy rains after planting. But, in many cases, timely rainfall softened soil crusting and allowed emergence of adequate stands.

Soybean stands and crop health are good in most cases. USDA rated the crop as 78% good to excellent and 22% poor to fair. Across the state, fields can be found that have not yet emerged up to those with several trifoliate leaves. Weed control from preemergent herbicides is mostly good due to rainfall following applications. Herbicide shortages or timing of availability was noticed in some areas, but substitutions were made and acres were treated. While herbicide and fertilizer prices are high, supplies have been mostly adequate. Some industry personnel have credited the later-than-normal planting dates to get product in place before it was needed.

Many growers have credited early planting dates with high yields in the recent past. Since early planting was not possible in most places this year, high yields will depend more on the weather conditions between now and crop maturity. Most growers remain optimistic with the soybean crop mostly planted, good stand establishment and strong commodity prices.

Minnesota

Planting season has been difficult this year, but it is largely completed in Minnesota. Small grains have been extremely delayed. Some farmers have chosen to plant soybeans and other crops due to the extremely limited small grain planting window. There is considerable conversation on filing for prevent plant, however, strong commodity prices are driving farmers toward late plantings. Time will tell each farmer what the best decision was.

According to the latest USDA-NASS Minnesota Crop Progress Report, much of Minnesota is wet. In that report, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 4% very short-short, 71% adequate and 25% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 3% very short-short, 73% adequate and 24% surplus. Drought-impacted acreage (D0-D4) have shrunk from 54% in mid-March to 1.7% on June 6. Dry soil is not currently a problem in most of Minnesota.

Soil temperature, at 4 inches, has been greater than 55^o F since May 15 at Lamberton and Waseca in south Minnesota. Rainfall/ wet soils have limited the planting window. Frost damage occurred in May but, due to late planting, variable crop emergence, and growth stage, was quite scattered. Replanting is occurring on some acreage, largely due to drown out. The predicted June heat wave has caused some concern, especially with small grains, but should not be a severe problem if it is short-lived.

Pre-emerge herbicide application has been difficult. In some cases, farmers had to choose between planting or applying herbicide. Efficacy is always a concern but, in most fields, appears to be largely effective. Over-the-top herbicide applications (like planting) are later than normal but in full swing. Excessive wind speeds have limited some application efforts. Seedling disease and insect reports appears to be mainly impacting corn and wheat currently.

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

Missouri

Corn is now nearly all planted (96%) in Missouri with some poor stands and replant in saturated soils. An estimated 89% of the crop has emerged. Overall corn crop condition is mostly good (67%) to fair (19%) currently.

Soybean first crop planting will finish up in the next week with very hot and dry conditions across the state in mid-June. An estimated 71% of the crop is planted with 56% of it emerged. An estimated 57% of crop is in good condition.

Most soft red winter wheat acres across Missouri are in good condition, and with hot, dry weather projections, wheat should be maturing rapidly (estimated 99% of the crop is headed). About 2% of the winter wheat crop is harvested, so the opportunity for double-crop soybean should be good with a timely wheat harvest.

An estimated 95% of the Missouri rice crop has emerged with 56% of it being in good condition.

The cotton crop is progressing nicely. About 97% of the crop is planted with 4% of it squaring. Overall, the crop is in good shape with 70% of it reported as good condition.

Despite the weather being a challenge to planting this spring, the overall planted percentage is about on track with the 5-year average. It is a testament to the ability of farmers to plant a high number of acres in very narrow windows of opportunity.

North Dakota

Planting continues in North Dakota in mid-June. According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, soybean planting was 75% for the week ending June 12, which is well behind 97% last year and 94% for the five-year average. Planting for other crops was also delayed. Planting progress for other crops: spring wheat 91%, durum wheat 83%, corn 90%, canola 86%, sugar beets 98%, oats 95%, barley 90%, sunflowers 70%. Crop % emergence was generally low relative to average due to challenging seeding conditions such as soil saturation and cresting issues.

Farmers are still planting crops after the final planting date despite the reduced crop insurance coverage. Across much of the Northern Plains, the final planting date for soybeans and dry beans is June 10. It’s past the final planting date for soybeans, but farmers are pushing past those final dates due to higher commodity prices this year.

Some growers switched to earlier maturity soybean varieties because s shorter season soybean variety might be a better fit with the delayed planting this season. Availability of seed and trait packages with early maturity ratings might be an issue this year. A few farmers are planting soybean varieties a little long because shorter day seed wasn’t available.

According to the North Dakota State University Crop and Pest Report, grasshopper nymphs are being observed in field edges of spring wheat and the fields soybeans in southeast and southwest, and north-central areas of North Dakota. Other pests such as bean leaf beetle and cutworms are slowly increasing in North Dakota fields. Dr. Janet Knodel, NDSU extension entomologist, advises farmers to do routine scouting (once a week) for pests such as cutworms, grasshoppers and bean leaf beetle as newly planted crops start to emerge.

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.