Corn
Corn planting was complete along the route, other than a few seed corn fields near Dorchester (Figure 1). Planting progress was well ahead of normal this season due to the dry weather during April and May, with an average of 5.3 days suitable for field work per week locally since the beginning of April through May 21. As a result most fields have emerged, with early growth stages ranging from V1-V6 (pocket guide, pg 141). There have been some issues across eastern Nebraska with uneven emergence, learn more in this CropWatch Q & A article. Another issue this early growing season shows up in color! ‘Purple Corn’ (Figure 3) can be attributed to several issues ranging from hybrid, temperature and solar radiation influence, and phosphorus fertility. Learn more about Purple Corn in an article from K-State. In most of the fields that I saw, purple corn is likely from the interaction between hybrid/corn genetics and abiotic stress from low solar radiation and non-ideal temperatures. There was no spatial variation in the purple corn across the fields. Therefore, not likely due to soil phosphorus as it is usually quite spatially variable.
Soybean
Soybean planting was nearly complete (99%) along the route. Soybean growth stages ranged from recently planted, but most fields ranged from VC to V2 (page 45-48 in pocket guide). There maybe some soybean fields a little further along than V2 (Figure 4), but none that I saw on my route. I didn’t dwell long enough in any soybean field to see any evidence of damage from seed corn maggot, but some damage has been reported in eastern Nebraska (read more). Even though soybean gall midge has not been yet confirmed in Saline County, feel free to sign up for the alert system discussed in a recent CropWatch article and let me know if you think you have found any as the season progresses. Last on the insect front, thistle caterpillars have been observed at low levels in the area, but no cause for concern yet.
Alfalfa
A combination of April freeze damage and abnormally dry weather along with alfalfa weevil pressure (Figure 5) has created obvious variability in the growth and tonnage/yield expected for first cutting. Most alfalfa fields were in the bud stage with a few blooms just starting to appear. Over 50% of the fields have been cut (Figure 6), but not yet baled. Please watch regrowth and scout for alfalfa weevil larvae under the windrow. Learn more about alfalfa weevil management in a publication called – Integrated Pest Management of Alfalfa Weevil in North Dakota.
Winter Wheat
Winter wheat was impacted by similar weather issues (freeze damage, cold, and dry) as alfalfa. As a result, wheat is noticeably shorter this year. Growth stages ranged from Feekes 10.5.1 to 10.5.3 growth stages (flowering). Suppression of head scab and providing residual control of leaf and stripe rust can be accomplished at Feekes 10.5.1. Read more about developing a plan for Fusarium head blight in a recent blog post. Also, visit my web page on winter wheat management in eastern Nebraska at croptechcafe.org/wheat to learn more about the benefits of winter wheat in the crop rotation.
Wrap up
Did you like the crop tour information? Did you click on any of the links to learn more? Send me your feedback: . Visit the new crop tour web page for Saline, Jefferson, and Gage County to read future reports during the growing season.
