As we move into the 4th of July weekend, a quick update on where we stand. Scattered showers and storms provided some rainfall over the last week which has helped our dryland situation in cotton, soybean, and peanut.
Most of the dryland corn crop tasseled (pollinated) and began reproductive growth during the pop up drought we have had over the last few weeks. The result will likely be a very yield limited dryland crop for many across our state. Where irrigation is available, continue to schedule irrigation in combination with rainfall to meet crop water use demand. Our earliest corn should approach black layer or maturity in a few weeks towards the end of July.
In terms of soybean, again, our earliest planted soybeans are beginning flower, if irrigated we need to keep them watered now. Our later planted crop and double crop soybeans are growing well where moisture is adequate. Deer remain an issue, we have conducted many trials on repellants over the years and I think the general take away is that you can help deter deer from feeding for a short time with a spray or until you get a rainfall event. There is no silver bullet when it comes to these products and it will ultimately depend on deer density and other food in the landscape. Some changes have been made with depredation permits this year in terms of crop damage and obtaining tags, if you have questions on this please contact me.
I have looked at several fields of irrigated corn over the last few weeks, it seems to me like we are seeing more disease this year in irrigated corn than in years past, specifically a lot of Grey Leaf Spot. Several fungicides have already gone out on irrigated corn but if you have yet to spray, I would encourage you to look at efficacy of products against specific diseases before purchasing. Areas where it appears disease has been worse is in fields with no rotation (corn behind corn).
Happy 4th of July.
