The US Crop Watch corn and soyabean fields are moving closer to the finish line, and in most cases reaching or expected to reach maturity a week or two earlier than normal. Yield expectations remain strong, but some states, including Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois, will be grappling this week with heavy late-season rainfall.
Excessive rains from Tropical Storm Gordon are expected to blanket parts of the Corn Belt over the next week, which may add weight to later-planted soyabean pods. Tropical Storm Gordon is expected to make landfall late on Tuesday between Louisiana and Mississippi, potentially packing hurricane-force winds.
But most of the affected areas have the moisture needed to finish, and the rains are seen as unlikely to push yields higher. Most of the crops are far enough along that the deluge may push back harvest activity and potentially increase drying costs for producers. Crop Watch 2018 follows one corn and one soyabean field in eight major US Corn Belt states, reporting on weekly progress every Sunday, similar timing to the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) observation schedule.
Yield potential is assessed each week in the Crop Watch fields on a scale of 1 to 5, with 3 being average yields relative to the recent farm mean. A score of 5 represents well above average - and possibly record - yields. The eight-field yield average for corn remains at 4.16, the highest score of the season. Soyabean yield potential dipped to 4.09 from 4.13 off a minor trim in Ohio.
As of August 26, USDA reported that 10 percent of the national corn crop had reached maturity, ahead of the five-year average of 5 percent. Some 7 percent of soyabeans were dropping leaves compared with an average of 4 percent. Yield potential is maintained at 4 and 2.5 for corn and soyabeans, respectively. Crops are maturing quickly and are up to three weeks ahead of normal. Area producers are disappointed that many of the soyabean pods contain only one or two pods, as opposed to the desired three or four.
Recent rains may have helped fatten the seeds, though. Corn kernel depth also appears to be shallow due to the warm and dry summer, which will lighten the yield if realized.
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA - Corn and soyabean yield potential remain at 4 and 3.75, respectively. The corn field should reach maturity in about 15 to 20 days. The soyabeans have plenty of moisture to fill pods, and disease pressure in the field is relatively light. The beans should be ready for harvest in about 30 days.
NORTHEAST NEBRASKA - Yield potential stays at 4 for both corn and soyabeans. Crop maturity pace slowed down a bit last week, and the fields should be ready for harvest in about two-and-a-half to three weeks, but the upcoming rain event may push that back. Two weeks of sunshine and steady, moderate winds would be ideal to help finish off and dry down the crops.
CENTRAL KANSAS - Corn and soyabean yield potential hold at 2 and 3, respectively. The fields have received more than 3 inches (76 mm) of rain since early Monday morning, and more rain is on the way. The rains are too late to impact corn, but may be benefiting soyabean pod fill and are greatly helping sorghum in the area. The corn harvest is about 10 to 15 days away, soyabeans about 30 days and sorghum about 45 days.
EAST CENTRAL IOWA - Yield potential remains at 4.5 for corn and 5 for soyabeans. As of Sunday, the corn field had received 5.5 inches (140 mm) of rain and the soyabean field 2.5 inches (64 mm). Both crops have plenty of moisture to finish at this point, but more rains are expected this week. Corn has not reached full maturity and is still adding weight. Harvest is about three weeks away for beans and three to four weeks away for corn.
SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS - Corn and soyabean yield potential hold at 5 apiece. Last week's rainfall was sparse and crops are drying down. The corn field may be ready for harvest in two weeks, but the soyabeans will likely have to wait until the last week in September. Harvest activity in the area has so far been very light.
CENTRAL INDIANA - Corn and soyabean yield potential stay at 5. Corn is drying down and the beans mostly completed pod fill at the end of August. The earlier planted bean fields in the area are expected to have the strongest performance as the plants are packed with pods, featuring large clusters at the tops.
CENTRAL OHIO - Corn yield potential remains at 4.75 but bean potential dropped slightly to 4.5 from 4.75 as of Sunday. Fields received up to an inch (25 mm) of rain this week. Recent wet conditions have introduced insect pressure in the soyabean field, which could accelerate if wet weather continues as the forecast suggests. Still, area producers are mostly pleased with their crops and the Crop Watch fields could be ready for harvest in as early as two weeks, which is up to two weeks earlier than usual.
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