As we reach the midpoint of the 2023 growing season, crop conditions in the area are generally good, with a few exceptions. Looking back, most corn planting was finished within the first 10 days of May, under good soil conditions. The corn emerged quickly, and stands were generally good. A fair amount of soybeans were planted during this time as well. A heavy rain event on May 12th and 13th over the eastern 2/3 of the area brought welcome moisture to recharge soil levels but also caused some ponding and soil compaction.
This became an issue for emergence on soybeans planted within a couple of days of this event, and numerous fields throughout the area needed supplemental or full replanting. Soybean planting was largely finished by the 3rd week of May. The month of June has been warmer and drier than normal, although not excessively so. Most days have been in the upper 80’s, but we have not reached 90 degrees for any length of time. Rains, while less than normal, have been very well timed. South Dakota has been more fortunate with rains, with good amounts at the end of June pushing them ahead of normal for the month.
Overall, as of July 1, crop conditions are good in most of our trade area. An exception is our southwest counties, which have largely missed out on any substantial rains. In these areas a few light rains are keeping things going, but crops are showing stress on hot days.
Corn has benefitted from the above average growing degree days, and is about at normal development. Pollination will begin the second week of July. The soybeans are more uneven, with a lot of shorter than normal fields. We have learned, however, not to put too much importance on the soybean crop’s appearance at this time of year. Soybean plants are forgiving, and weather from mid-July through August will tell the story on the crop. While we don’t think this crop is set up for record soybean yields, we could still have an average or better crop.
Going forward, July weather, as always, will be critical. We enter the month with less than normal subsoil reserves, and timely rains will continue to be important. Most influential to yield success will be temperatures. Above normal temperatures throughout the pollination and early grain fill stage of corn can cause yield losses, even with adequate moisture.
This article originally appears in summer edition of Today’s Land Owner, authored by Nathan Deters, AFM
