Corn
Overall, the corn crop was in pretty could shape. Growth stages ranged from V6 to V10 (page 141 in 2019 pocket guide) and ranged in height from 18″ to 30″ tall (Figure 1). Many irrigated fields had plant populations ranging in the low 30s (Figure 2) while rainfed stands ranged throughout the 20s. The only two pivots I saw running could have been applying nitrogen or fertigating. Expression of heat/temporary moisture stress was evident but highly variable from one side of the road to the other. Variation in visible stress (not a concern yet though) seemed to be a combination of tillage, crop rotation, growth stage, and hybrid. The UNL Mesonet Weather Station near Plymouth is still showing very good subsoil moisture at 10, 20, and 40 inches deep. There was some hail damaged fields near Gladstone and some fields with wind damage northeast of Fairbury on my route. Weed control was pretty good overall, with most fields already post sprayed or still had good residual control from preemerge applications. I didn’t notice any pest or disease issues. However, bacterial leaf streak was reported to me and found in a field this week (Figure 3). The only visible nutrient deficiencies were from nitrogen and sulfur (Figure 4).
Soybean
Overall, the soybean crop was in pretty could shape too. Growth stages ranged from V1 to V5/R1 (page 43 in 2019 pocket guide) If you have time, read about the Soybean Flowering Fallacy that explains why soybeans can flower before the summer solstice. Plant populations were sufficient in fields where I did stand counts (Figure 5 & 6). There was some hail damaged fields near Gladstone. Just remember a V3 soybean plant has potential for regrowth from numerious different spots (2 at cotyledonary node, 2 at the unifoliolate node, and one at each trifoliolate node (Figure 7). Also, visit our crop-focused hail website at Hail Know for lots of great resources. Weed control was pretty good overall. I didn’t notice any significant pest or disease issues other than a small amount of old leaf damage from thistle caterpillars (but nothing like we saw last year).
Alfalfa
Regrowth after first cutting looks pretty good (Figure 8) considering the tough first cutting this year due to the April freeze, abnormally dry weather in May, and alfalfa weevil pressure. Alfalfa weevil haven’t seemed to been a problem after first cutting. The early first cutting fields were nearing the bud stage, so seconding cutting will be starting soon. New seeding alfalfa was being cut for the first time this year (Figure 9).
Wheat
There were about 8 winter wheat fields along the route. Winter wheat maturity is moving along quickly with this record-breaking June heat. Growth stages ranged from milk (Feekes 11.1) to dough stage (Feekes 11.2). Most fields should very little disease pressure (Figure 10), but included some symptoms of stripe rust, leaf rust, Fusarium head blight, and barley yellow dwarf virus. The potential negative impact from stripe rust has been suppressed due to the hot weather. One field has quite a bit of leaf rust (Figure 11), which can increase in severity under warmer weather than stripe rust. View the latest distribution by county of leaf and stripe rust at our Wheat Disease Management website. Weed control was very good in all the fields. The local 2020 UNL winter wheat variety trial (Figure 12) in cooperation with Mark Knobel is located north of Fairbury on Hwy 15, then east 1 mile on 716th Rd, then 3/4 of a mile north on 569th Ave, east side of the road marked with a UNL sign. You can take a self-guided tour by grabbing a handout in realtor box at the plots. I just ask you to please do not walk/damage (pull heads) the wheat and stay in the wide walking alleys. Please bring your own hand sanitizer after touching the realtor box to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. If you have any questions about the varieties in the trials, contact me. Last year’s yield results can be viewed at my local on-farm research page.
Grain Sorghum
There were only a few grain sorghum fields along my route. Early growth (Figure 13) and weed control looked great. The growth stages ranged from 2 (five leaf stage) to 3 (growing point differentiation).
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 past and future reports during the growing season.
