Heat Stress and Dry Conditions still Evident Across Midwest

According to agronomists, in general, crops throughout the Midwest are in good to excellent condition. Recent high temperatures and a lack of moisture have caused some problems in corn fields, with heat stress evident in Indiana and ear tip-back issues in Wisconsin and Iowa. Furthermore, regions in Michigan, Ohio, and South Dakota are feeling the effects of dry weather early in the season. That low moisture in some parts of Indiana has led to highly variable crop conditions across the state, and corn yield is down in Michigan due to dry weather in the north.
 
However, while many states have been dry this summer, corn fields in Minnesota have experienced fertility issues as a result of heavy rain during pollination. Some fields now have greensnap issues as a result of recent storms.
 
Rains across the Midwest this month have provided some relief, but have raised the risk of SDS disease in soybeans. Agronomists in South Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa have all seen SDS in soybean fields, with those in South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa noting increased white mold pressure. Spider mites and aphids are also evident in soybean fields in South Dakota, Michigan, Ohio and Iowa. Agronomists in these areas advise farmers to scout closely for these insects.
 
Farmers are encouraged to watch corn fields for stalk rot gray leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight, especially in Wisconsin and Iowa. Agronomists in Indiana have also noticed western bean cutworm in corn fields.
 
Because of these conditions, farmers should keep track of disease and insect pressure this season, so they can choose the best products and applications for next year.