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Regional Update: Crop Progress For May 29 To June 7, 2017

Jun 08, 2017
By Rebecca Vittetoe
Extension field agronomist
 
The USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report showed that Iowa's corn crop is 90% emerged and gave Iowa’s corn crops a 77% good/excellent rating. Soybean planting is 91% completed and 62% of Iowa’s soybeans have emerged. The USDA gave Iowa’s soybean crop a 73% good/excellent rating. With planting wrapping up, the focus is shifting to post herbicide applications, sidedressing nitrogen, and first cutting of alfalfa. Crop emergence issues, armyworms, and herbicide injury are some of the common issues seen throughout the state this past week. Read on for more information about your region's crop progress and field conditions from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists.
 
Northwest Iowa
 
Joel DeJong (Region 1): “In the NW corner of Iowa almost all of the planting has been completed after the extended dry period we are experiencing, and most of the crops are emerged. In fact, we could use a widespread rainfall (preferably without severe weather). Several calls about emergence problems in soybean fields with May 15 and 16 planting dates have been fielded. Almost all of the first crop of alfalfa has been harvested. Herbicide spraying seems to be progressing quite well in corn.”  
 
Paul Kassel (Region 2): “Crop conditions look good for most of my area. The corn is looking good with the April planted in the V5 to V6 growth stage and the May planted corn in the V4 stage. The soybean crop that was planted around May 15 or May 16 went into some wet soils in cases. There have been a few soybean fields that were replanted. A lot of the early planted soybean crop is around the V1 stage and the later May planted soybean crop is emerging. Many farmers are focused on post-emergence herbicide applications at the current time. The recent weather has been very favorable for herbicide application and other fieldwork.”
 
Regional Update
This early April planted corn field in Pocahontas county is approaching V6 stage.
 
Regional Update
Farmers are completing soybean replanting because of excess rainfall from May 17 to 20. 
 
Central Iowa
 
Mark Johnson (Region 7): "By Sunday evening almost all the corn was planted in my 9 counties. There has been very little if any replanting of corn. There was still some soybean planting over the weekend, but that is pretty much done now too. There hasn’t been much replanting of soybean. Corn is V2 to V6 and soybeans are VE to V1. Spraying has begun and a few of the early planting farmers are now done with early post applications. I’ve had a few calls on preplant or preemerge herbicide applications to soybeans. The rainy days keeping the soil near saturation to saturation in some cases allowed for good activation and uptake of the herbicide; however, I know of only one field that needed replanting due to this."
 
Southwest and West Central
 
Aaron Saeugling (Region 6): “Most corn is V3 to V7 on the early planted fields. Spraying has been a top priority for most producers. Some corn stands are less than initially thought after the past week’s hot weather. Damping-off occurred in wet areas of those fields. Most soybeans have been planted. Early soybeans are emerged and range from VC to V2. The pre-emerge herbicides are keeping most fields clean at this point. Most of the first cutting of alfalfa and hay have been baled. Pastures slowed down after last week’s heat, and will need a rain soon to keep productive.”
 
Southeast and East Central:
 
Rebecca Vittetoe (Region 8):  “Earlier planted corn is now in that V4 to V7 growth stage with most of the later planted corn around the V3 growth stage. Soybeans range from just planted to V2. Overall corn and soybeans are looking pretty good. Common issues this past week in my region include herbicide injury (mainly PPO injury to soybeans), some corn seedling disease, evaluating poor corn or soybean stands for replanting, and armyworms. Post herbicide applications are getting done as well as sidedress N applications. First cutting alfalfa is pretty much harvested. We are getting dry and could use some rain.”
 
Armyworm feeding on a young corn plant in SE Iowa.
 
Virgil Schmitt (Region 10): “During the last two weeks, the area south of Highway 92 generally received less than a half inch or rain while areas north received 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain with some higher amounts in thunderstorms. First cutting hay is about half harvested. Corn is mostly V4 to V6 and soybeans are VC to V2. Armyworms on both corn and soybean is the most common issue. Herbicide drift, herbicide carryover, replant on poor corn and soybean stands, are other common issues.”
 
Regional Update
Map showing rainfall totals for Iowa over the last two weeks.