Variable Crop Progress Requires Watchful Eye to Protect Yield Potential
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Crop progress varied significantly this year across the growing region - from the Rockies to the Great Lakes, and into the Southeast. Some growers experienced ideal conditions, with corn tasseling, and soybeans blooming right on schedule. Others faced rain delays, replanted fields, or changed crop plans.
A vigilant eye on the weather can help you protect yield potential this season.
"The crops in northwest Illinois were planted in ideal conditions," says Brad Allen, market development specialist with Corteva Agriscience. "Unfortunately, south of Interstate 64, it is pretty depressing. They had continual rains, and only about 5% of the crop was planted during the ideal planting window."
In Ohio and Michigan weather hurdles disrupted early planting efforts. According to Scott Pringnitz, crop protection market development specialist with Corteva Agriscience, corn planting in some areas stretched across six weeks, with many acres still unplanted into late May
Weather variability in Missouri and Kansas as well
Eastern Missouri also battled frequent rain delays. Western Missouri and eastern Kansas experienced more favorable planting conditions and enabled crops to emerge on schedule reports Joe Bolte, market development specialist with Corteva Agriscience. June rain typically helps finish the wheat crop and supports early-season sorghum and soybeans. However, this year June rain was spotty and impacted crop development.
Field conditions challenged weed control efforts
Weather delays didn’t just affect planting. They also disrupted carefully timed herbicide programs.
“Weed control has been a mixed bag this season,” Allen reports. “Where conditions were ideal, growers were able to make their preemergence and postemergence applications as planned. Most of those fields are staying clean.”
However, early planted soybean fields without a residual in the postemergence pass have seen late-season weed flushes. For fields with later planting dates, growers faced challenging weed pressure with larger weeds and limited control windows. In some cases, growers had to use a more aggressive burndown or turned to tillage, but even those weren’t entirely effective.
“Both scenarios created challenges. The goal is to start with clean fields and keep them clean until canopy closure,” Pringnitz says.
Residual applications helped keep crops clean to canopy
Bolte says, “It comes back to managing the soil seed bank. If you have a bad year and aren't able to control everything, you recharge the seed bank. A typical preemergence residual gives about four to six weeks of control, but that’s may not be enough to reach canopy.
“In-season residuals like Enversa herbicide for soybeans gave growers up to four more weeks of control. For corn, Kyro herbicide, which can be applied to corn up to 24 inches tall, extended the application window and provided enough residual to head off any late weed flushes get to canopy with clean rows,” Bolte adds.
Disease control requires vigilant eye on July and August weather
Just like weeds, diseases are impacted by planting dates and weather. Allen stresses the importance of knowing local disease history, tracking planting progress, and watching for changing weather to determine the best treatment windows. July and August are critical months. Although disease prevention should be the goal, there are curative treatments for both corn and soybean diseases. This year’s lengthy planting season requires extra vigilance for disease and insect management.
“Weather patterns drive disease development, and the crop's growth phase determines when treatment is most effective," Allen says. "You want to protect the silks at tassel and soybean flowers and pods to grain fill.”
Because of the wide planting window this year—up to six weeks in some areas — disease development could vary dramatically from field to field.
- In northern states, cool, wet conditions can lead to white mold in soybeans and tar spot or Northern corn leaf blight in corn.
- In warmer, more humid regions, frogeye leaf spot is a concern in soybeans.
- Farther south, tar spot, gray leaf spot, stalk rot, and southern rust will likely increase in late-season drought-stressed corn.
Insect and mite expectations
Growers should begin scouting for insect pressure now.
Bolte and Allen advise growers to be on the lookout for Japanese beetles, soybean aphids, and stink bugs. In corn, scout for corn rootworm beetles and Japanese beetles that can damage silks and tassels.
Hot, dry weather also increases risk from spider mites and aphids in soybeans. These pests can be controlled with Ridgeback® insecticide with Isoclast® active, which delivers fast knockdown and long-lasting protection.
In southern regions, soybean podworm should also be monitored, especially in double-crop soybeans, where the pests' short lifecycle leads to multiple generations.
"Second and third generation moths look for fresh, green vegetation, which is often the second soybean crop," Bolte says. "So, watch sticky traps and university reports of the moths migrating up from Texas and Oklahoma."
Fortunately, Intrepid Edge® insecticide is now approved in Kansas for use on soybean podworms, and is also labeled for control of bollworms,budworms, armyworms, loopers, cutworms, and corn borer, in cotton.
Be proactive to protect yield potential
With wide variability in weather and planting progress, this season demands more attention to scouting and in-season management.
For support and guidance on in-season crop protection options, contact your local Corteva Agriscience representative or local retailer.
Intrepid Edge®, Kyro®, Ridgeback® and Enversa™ are not registered for sale or use in all states. Enversa and Kyro are not available for sale, distribution or use in Nassau and Suffolk counties in the state of New York. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Isoclast is a registered active ingredient. Always read and follow label directions.
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