Corn Crop Improving

Crop Progress and Outlook
The corn crop across Northwest Missouri continues to improve. The early spring saturated soils have dried thus allowing the corn to start growing and plants are picking up a deep green color. Early planted corn is silking.
Many wet corn fields are suffering from nitrogen deficiency. Nitrogen deficiency can be identified as a yellow inverted V-shape pointing from the leaf tip towards the stalk. Nitrogen deficient leaves are found on the lower leaves with the top part of the plant a pale green.
Some leaf diseases are showing on lower leaves of corn. Anthracnose was an early season disease that was found in some area corn fields. Stink bugs have been a problem causing deformed plants.
Soybeans continue to be planted in fields that have been delayed because of wet soils. Early planted soybeans have begun flowering. If you are planting soybeans, switch to narrow rows and now begin increasing the seeding rate. Our recommendations in July would be to increase the seeding rate to 200,000 seeds per acre.
Soybeans emerging in wet soils often die from early season diseases. Many soybean stands have been thinned from these diseases. If you are planting or replanting into wet soils, you should consider using a fungicide seed treatment on your seed.
Glyphosate resistant waterhemp plants are being found in more local fields. These are being found in soybean fields and standard rates for weed height are not controlling plants.
Wheat harvest is progressing and most growers seem to have had relatively good yields. The scab did cause low test weights and many are receiving their grain docked. Many growers are planting behind wheat with soybeans as a double-crop.
Alfalfa is suffering from wet soils this spring. Some stands are thinning from Phytophthora root rot which can be identified by black lesions on the alfalfa roots.
Smooth brome and tall fescue are now past prime time for harvest so quality is declining. In south Missouri, there have been reports of ergot in tall fescue.
For more information contact Wayne Flanary, Regional Agronomist, University of Missouri Extension at 660-446-3724.