July 2, 2021
Corn: Crop condition for early season planted corn is looking good across Salem County. Before yesterday’s rain, early season planted corn on non-manured, non-dairy acreage was exhibiting tight curling on knolls while corn on high organic matter soils with a history of dairy manure was uniformily less stressed by the high heat of the last few weeks. Areas where ponding occurred earlier in the month have very variable corn heights and color. Some low spots have turned a yellow color that indicates roots are impaired..
Most mid-season planted corn fields less than v5 were not stem elongating the past few weeks due to lack of moisture and high heat with some fields tightly curled to the whorl in areas with compaction. But the rains last night and today arrived just in time and corn stalk elongation has resumed.
Overall weed control is excellent in early planted corn. Nutsdedge in wetter areas is the predominant grass-type weed. Palmer amaranth flushed in mid-June. Untreated early June plants sporadic and rarely seen except on field edges are nearly knee high with thick stems while most in crop flushes not yet sprayed were below nine inches at the end of last week. Over all palmer control is excellent in the county.
Other than japanese beetles and emerging grasshopper populations, insect pressure has been slight. Differential grasshopper nymph populations in some ready to harvest wheat fields mid-county last week were above threshold. When they get their wings they will move to grassy field margins, corn and soybeans.
Soybeans: Most full season indeterminate soybeans are close to canopying. Most are late v5 to early R1. Where sprayed weed control is generally excellent. Continue to monitor below canopy for flushes of ivyleaf morning glory and palmer as these rains will release more of the weed seed bank.
Wheat: Small grain harvest is nearing completing. Yield and quality reports are encouraging and post-harvested fields in general are very clean. Only older stands of rye have significant seed head stem breakage. Overall bearded wheat has stood well and is very clean but the weather forecast will see quality deteriorate due to high humidity, overcast skies and consecutive days of rain.
Forages: Pasture biomass has decreased significantly over the past two weeks. Where understocking is possible, expect to see a rebound of early summer growth with the cooler weather this week. Monitor hay crop fields for pest pressure and in overly mature grasses with seed heads present expect to see seed head fungal pressure increase.
Landscape: Japanese beetles are voraciously devoring roses and present on most cut-flowers. Spotted lanternfly nymphs are quite abundant in flowerbeds and crops like sunflowers and rasberries with most nymphs seen transitioning to the 4th instar. In this phase they are red with white spots and will develop wings in their next phase.