Connect on Social:
Follow the Tour on Pioneer Instagram Stories.
Follow the Tour on Twitter. (#PFTour21)
Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour - Day 3
Get observations and insights from Pioneer agronomists on the tour. Follow hashtag #PFTour21 on Pioneer social channels.
Eastern Route - Midwest Crop Tour
Day 3 - Wednesday, August 18, 2021
- Begins in Bloomington, Illinois.
- Ends in Iowa City, Iowa.
Tour Leader - Jim Lafrenz, Pioneer Field Agronomist, Eastern Iowa
- Great soil conditions to start the planting season but hot, windy conditions quickly dried the soil surface and challenged planters to get seeds into moisture.
- For soybeans significant acres of early planting (some ahead of corn) continues a trend we’ve seen for the last few years to drive earlier flowering and higher yield potential.
- Find more updates & photos.
Crop Conditions Across Eastern Iowa
- Update from Jim Lafrenz
Corn Growing Season
- Overall, stand counts were good but showed some uneven emergence, especially in the early May planting dates.
- Warm, dry June was favorable for success root development.
- Highly variable rainfall totals across EC Iowa since May 1st are showing a 10 inch differential.
- Sulfur and potassium deficiency were found to be key nutrient deficiencies and was confirmed in a large scale tissue sampling project across the area at V6 and VT.
- Overall lower GLS and NLB pressure but Corn Tar Spot levels showing some development in Scott, Clinton, and Jackson Counties.
- Those fields with uneven emergence due to dry soils at planting are now showing some inconsistency in ear uniformity.
- Kernel counts are showing good potential yield levels but rainfall will be critical to finish development.
- Corn is currently in the R3 (milk) to early R4 (dough) stage and Growing Degree Units are running about 100 GDUs ahead of normal.
Soybean Growing Season
- Hot, dry planting conditions challenged seed placement into moisture, especially in no-till.
- I’ve been impressed with the Enlist Herbicide System on our tougher to control weeds like giant ragweed and waterhemp. Weed control has been excellent and easy to work with.
- Overall pest pressure has been minimal with Japanese Beetles becoming the prominent insect again this year.
- Most soybeans are currently at the R4-R5 stage.
Nutrient Deficiencies in Corn
Left: Sulfur deficiency in corn. Photo taken 6/14 in Linn County IA. Right: Potassium deficiency in corn. Photo taken 6/27 in Scott County IA.
More Photos - Eastern Iowa
Corn at R3 stage with moderate moisture stress. *Note favorable kernel counts but shows signs of struggle filling ear tips. Photo taken 8/5/21 in Jones County, Iowa.
Corn at R4 stage with minimal moisture stress. Photo taken 8/6/21 in Scott County, Iowa.
Gray Leaf Spot showing slow development in lower canopy. Photo taken 8/5/21 in Clinton County Iowa.
Corn Tar Spot showing development in mid-canopy. Note: Key watch out for area fields. Photo taken 8/5/21 in Clinton County Iowa.
Western Route - Midwest Crop Tour
Day 3 - Wednesday, August 18, 2021
- Begins in Nebraska City, Nebraska.
- Ends in Spencer, Iowa.
Tour Leader - Nick Hanson, Pioneer Field Agronomist, Northwest Iowa
Crop Conditions Across Northern Nebraska / Northwest Iowa
- Update from Nick Hanson
Corn
- Nearly all of northwest Iowa has been under some level of drought for an extended period of time.
- Corn rootworm pressure have been historically high this year. This is especially evident in long term corn on corn rotations but has also been observed in rotated fields due to extended diapause.
- Despite environmental challenges yield potential is still good. With the help of some well-timed precipitation, we can finish 2021 successfully!
Soybeans
- A Memorial Day frost resulted in the need to replant soybeans where heavy residue was present.
- Overall pest pressure has been low.
- Nearly all non-Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans exhibited some level of dicamba injury.
Photos - NW Iowa
May 30th frost caused stand loss and in some cases the need to replant in many soybean fields with high residue.
Dicamba symptoms have been widespread on soybean fields that do not have Extend technology due to off target movement of the dicamba herbicide.
Drought effects such as leaf rolling have been present since early vegetative growth stages. However, yield potential throughout much of Northwest Iowa remains good due to timely rains.
Corn Rootworm has been found at historic levels in long term corn on corn fields. We also have areas with high levels of extended diapause that have caused root lodging and may reduce yield. Managing this pest intensively will be critical for future success.
Drought effects such as leaf rolling have been present since early vegetative growth stages. However, yield potential throughout much of Northwest Iowa remains good due to timely rains.
Corn Research Innovation
Find out more from Andy Ross, Evaluation Zone Lead - Central-South, Research & Development, Pioneer.
Pro Farmer
Contact
My Local Pioneer Team
Our unmatched team of local professionals live and work in your community. They’re ready to help you select high-yielding products and provide year-round service and expertise. Have questions? Ask your local Pioneer sales representative today.
Find My Sales Rep