Eye on Crops, July 22, 2011

 

Iroquois County, IL

We still have not had any rain since July 1 when we had a range of 0.3-0.9 in.  Three weeks without rain and the extreme heat this past week has taken its toll on the local corn crop.  The majority of local cornfields have been pollinating during this period.  With the high demand for water, the corn crop has been wilting everyday for quite some time.  Corn development ranges from V11 to R2 or blister stage.  Some fields at R2 are beginning to rob the lower stalk to begin to fill the ear.  The corn near V11 has been rolling leaves for a couple weeks now.  The potential yield has been decreasing as the consecutive days of wilting continue to increase.  

Fungicide applications have been made to cornfields over the past week.  We have only sprayed 28 acres and have not seen as much disease pressure at this point.  

Soybean development in the area ranges from R2 up to R4 or full pod growth stage.  Crop development for the corn and soybean crops continues to mirror 2009 development at the same date.  

The local closing bids for July 21 were $7.21 for nearby corn, $6.48 for new-crop corn, $13.90 for nearby soybeans and $13.55 for new-crop soybeans.