Iroquois County, IL
Our last rain was July 1. With the corn using a lot of water as it approaches and enters pollination, cornfields have been rolling their leaves to conserve moisture during the heat of the day. The next seven days are forecast to have higher temperatures and to remain dry. The majority of the corn in this area will be pollinating during this time.
Area cornfields range from the V10 growth stage up to the R1 growth stage. We have not begun any fungicide applications at this point as we wait for our corn to reach R1. I have also not seen any fungicide applications being made on neighboring fields that are at R1.
Herbicide applications in soybean fields are about wrapped up. These applications are being made while trying to avoid spraying heat stressed weeds. Area soybean fields range from the V5 growth stage up to the R3 or beginning pod growth stage. Crop growth still remains equal to or behind the pace set in 2009 for both corn and soybean for our local area.
The local closing bids for July 14 were $7.21 for nearby corn, $6.48 for new-crop corn, $13.92 for nearby soybeans and $13.51 for new-crop soybeans.
Heat and humidity set in with heat index of 110° F last weekend. The corn started to tassel Sunday and looks good with no problems at this time. I think our area would rate a little better than the state report indicated earlier in the week. We did catch ½-1 in. of rain early Wednesday morning and that has made the heat during tassel a little easier on the corn.
Beans are knee high and look great also. A few fields are still being sprayed for weed control, but no other work being done. Fifty miles west of us irrigation season is in full swing and we have heard no concerns.
Wheat harvest is over in the area and yields reported have been poor. Producers have been seeding a forage crop in the wheat stubble in hopes of adding additional income to those acres this fall.
Current local new-crop corn is $6.34 and soybeans are $13.06.