Agronomy
The crop took it on the chin this season, with some Iowa farmers reporting huge yield losses as harvest gets underway. A one-time fungicide application helped, but it wasn’t enough to buck severe disease pressure, allowing it to return.
The crop is drying down rapidly, given the weather conditions across much of the country. Agronomists are concerned farmers will combine fields too late and advise starting at 13% moisture or even higher.
The Association of Equipment Manfacturers (AEM), in partnership with leading ag groups, has released an updated report detailing the significant benefits of precision agriculture across the United States.
Yes, phosphorus is expensive. But before you decide to not use it or arbitrarily pull back, try to weigh the decision based on facts and not emotion.
Agronomic specialists are encouraging farmers to make their corn harvest plans now, prioritizing which fields to combine first and so forth. Evaluating how well the crop is standing on a field by field basis can help you plan the process and minimize having to pick up down corn.
If the legal challenge succeeds, the federal court decision would result in making the technology unavailable for sale or distribution to U.S. farmers.
Kernel depth and fill contribute significantly to yield in newer hybrids. It’s one reason a ‘Hail Mary’ fungicide pass might still offer ROI and keep corn standing until combines roll.
A prematurely collapsing ear shank stops grain fill, leading to yield reductions that can reach as high as 40%.
The Midwest crop is being pushed into black layer (R6) prematurely in some areas in ways that are easy to confuse with normal drydown factors.
The disease is causing turmoil for farmers who have a large crop in the making. In some cases, a Hail Mary fungicide application at R4 up to early dent (R5) might make sense this season, say agronomists.
The online platform currently has about 500 programs and service providers in the Midwest participating and is a free resource for farmers, ranchers and their advisers.
“I’d hate to be the farmer who, because of a later-season application, meant an entire bin of soybeans was going to be condemned.”
The Minnesota corn crop is going for gold. Pro Farmer Crop Tour scouts expect the crop will reach a record 202.86 bu. average, if it can outpace southern rust and tar spot. Scouts peg the Iowa corn crop at a 198.43 bu. average, but it also faces disease challenges.
Iowa could be the nation’s top state this year for corn and soybeans, but both crops are in a race to beat disease pressure that’s gaining momentum. Illinois corn continues to ride the struggle bus, while the soybean crop there is positioned to deliver high yields.
There is still up to 55% of the kernel dry weight left to be accumulated by many corn hybrids at this point — starch that can contribute significantly to grain fill and higher test weights.
With at least four weeks left in the growing season, Ferrie encourages farmers to stay ahead of heavy disease pressure in fields, particularly in what he calls D hybrids — those that punch their yield card late-season.
Corn yield estimates in seven counties surrounding the community of Bloomington indicate farmers there will harvest an average crop, at best. That’s counter to what USDA predicts for Illinois yield results statewide.
The extent of the disease in the state is the worst one ISU Extension pathologist says she has ever seen. Farmers in 17 other states have also confirmed the disease.
Short-stature corn is often planted at higher populations because its architecture allows for better light interception and more efficient use of resources when plants are grown closer together. But that’s not always the case, according to Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.
Camaraderie is cathartic. It lifts spirits, gives encouragement and reminds all of us we are valuable. Check out what farmers have to say about this year’s corn crop – the good, the bad and the in-between – and may their experiences lighten your load in the process.
A crop-protection startup is using AI and machine learning to identify and develop new active ingredients it says will help farmers solve issues like weed resistance faster and more economically.
USDA reports 73% of the corn crop nationally is in good to excellent condition – a 5% increase over this same time in 2024. Industry analysts believe the Aug. 12 Crop Production report will boost its estimate for the 2025 crop because of the overall favorable growing season.
Just as corn growers were ready to put their pollination problems behind them, another one comes along. This time, the issue had to do with moisture occurring at the wrong time, and the results are significantly impacting yield.
The industry investigates the agronomic issue finding it can be attributed to many factors including environment, genetics and rapid growth stages.
Got tar spot? Economic data shows two passes can offer ROI, depending on the hybrid. However, if your crop got dinged at pollination that’s a different scenario and might require a revised game plan that takes yield estimates into consideration.
More reports of ‘overly tight tassel wrap’ are coming in across the Corn Belt – including from the reigning world champion corn grower. Hula shares how he strategically uses his planter to minimize pollination risks.
An up-and-down early growing season in the Upper Midwest left many soybean farmers with small, stressed soybean plants. Find out what the carbon penalty is and learn strategies to beat it and save the crop.
Both diseases are showing up earlier this summer than last year, according to Daren Mueller, Iowa State University plant pathologist. He says a new interactive tool from the Crop Protection Network can help farmers locate these diseases, and others, faster.
So far, the problem has been confirmed in four states. Agronomists are encouraging farmers to scout crops, estimate yield impacts in affected fields and determine whether to make adjustments to marketing plans.
This year’s program features all new agronomic content to help farmers grow and harvest high-yielding crops. Two of the key sessions: selecting a corn planter that’s right for your farm, and developing a systems approach to success with early-season soybeans. We look forward to seeing you there!