As harvest progresses, you will see yield variabilities that are unparalleled. For many farmers, this will be a first time experience! You will see hybrids and varieties respond with wide yield swings. Just about any stress you can think of has shown up in our region this growing season. Rainfall intensity and frequent occurrences, planting delays, nitrogen losses, and compaction are the big four. Any one, or a combination of these, will hinder product performance this year.

Early corn grain fill will be occurring during this period. Virtually all controllable production practices will have been completed with the exception of monitoring non-GMO corn for second generation European corn borer (ECB) infestations, and treating appropriately. This generation generally occurs mid-July to late-August in our area. Trapping adults proves to be the most accurate method of deciding to treat or not. Second generation ECB can be yield devastating. One borer per plant can reduce yield by 7 Bu./A. or more.

This week, central Indiana sales intern Christy Kettler covers the insect and disease presence she has been seeing while scouting area fields. If you have any questions on these findings or want to learn more, please contact your local seed advisor or dealer.

Soybean cyst nematode sampling is best done six to eight weeks after planting. Target fields where yields have plateaued, areas with pH>7, and areas where weed control is lacking.

This is when many of you will likely be making in-crop, post emergence herbicide applications to both corn and soybeans. All post applications should reinforce your earlier herbicide applications. Careful attention and decision making should include: crop growth stage, weed height, environmental conditions, and tank mix additives. If you carefully manage these four key factors, you will not only achieve greater crop safety, but also enhanced herbicide effectiveness. 

Last fall was not very conducive for applying ammonia (NH₃), which brings us to our current situation concerning spring applications. Couple that with wet soils, cooler daytime temperatures this week, and the need to begin corn planting, there are areas of concern! Here are my recommendations regarding spring applications of NH₃.

Corn Stand Establishment
This past week drenched our region with 4 to 6 inches of rain, followed by cool if not cold temperatures. Corn that has germinated and/or emerged (young plants) should be okay.

Soybean Stand Establishment
Some of the same corn comments hold true for soybeans. About 30% of our area got their soybeans planted last week. Very few fields have emerged.

Stand Evaluations
By all means, when conditions and fields become fit and suitable for planting, plant the “unplanted” acres first! This will give any “challenged", earlier planted fields time to hopefully recover so a proper assessment can be made.

Corn Insects
--- Black Cutworm, Slugs, and Armyworm
--- Purple Corn