Iroquois County, IL
As I was writing my report on July 29, we received 1.3-2 in. of rain. That was the only precipitation for the week, leaving our farms with a range of 2.7-3.4 in. of rain for the month of July. We could use more rain at this point as some cornfields started rolling leaves again yesterday. The range in corn development is from R2 (blister stage) up to R4 (dough stage). The hot and dry weather in July has reduced the yield potential of corn in our area, but it is had to measure how much at this point.
We finished applying fungicides on corn on Aug. 1. We sprayed slightly over 50% of our corn acres. Crop dusters have now been flying over soybean fields the past few days.
Soybean development in the area ranges from R2 up to the R5, or beginning seed growth stage. Crop development continues to mirror where we were at in 2009 at this point.
The local closing bids for Aug. 4 were $7.18 for nearby corn, $6.81 for new-crop corn, $13.39 for nearby soybeans and $13.13 for new-crop soybeans.
Our first measurable rainfall since July 13 occurred this morning and brought 0.24 in. Last week was brutal on the corn crop: 90° F temps during the day would drop only to the 80s at night. That did push our GDU up over our 30-year average to 2,113.
The corn is in R4 dough and we’ve seen significant tip back occur because of heat and lack of moisture lately. We have received 14.73 in. of rain from plant date to July 13 at pollination; plants are now is pulling from the bottom of the plant to help survive.
Beans are setting pods and have slowed in progression to save themselves. They need a soaking rain to continue. We have some feeding by Japanese beetles, but not enough to warrant action.
Irrigation has helped in much of the state, but farmers all say the continued high temps have damaged yields to below average for corn and soybeans. I will say our crops now fit in the below-average category. We have stopped mowing roadsides as most grass is dormant and weeds are showing. Most alfalfa has greened but stopped growing.
I did work over our flex head for soybean harvest, so I am still optimistic.
Noon bids for local new-crop corn were $6.43 and soybeans were $12.42.