We’re well into the growing season, so it’s time for our annual crop progress update. According to the latest Crop Progress Report from National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), some of the nation’s corn crop is already silking. Current corn crop conditions include 3% very poor, 7% poor, 26% fair, 52% good and 12% excellent condition. Soybeans are beginning to reach blooming stage and are in good to fair condition. The NASS report indicates that 2% are listed in very poor, 7% poor, 29% fair, 52% good and 10% excellent condition. Here’s what our regional sales agronomists (RSA) are reporting from their territories.
Bethany Oland, Stine Region 7 RSA, northeast South Dakota
“Overall, crops in Region 7 look great. On the corn side, Stine 9320-20 has really stood out this year from emergence to mid-season plant health. We’ve had a few weather events throughout the region that have brought high winds and hail. MX442-20 and MX514-20 from our MX Series Corn by Stine line have stood out among competitor hybrids by handling the rough weather incredibly well.
"Soybeans across the region look great as well. It’s very clear that Stine’s breeding program is doing its job, as the EC and EE generations are standing out among previous generations.”
Aaron Stockton, Stine Region 9 RSA, northern Texas, Oklahoma, southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri
“Portions of Region 9 have been dealing with weather extremes from when the first planter hit the field until now. Growers were able to get 90% of their corn planted and have all but finished with soybean planting at this point. We still have a few acres of double crop soybeans to go in but are ahead of schedule. The corn crop has been struggling in many places due to very hot, dry weather since the first of June. Some acres have already been slated for silage and many more are following suit. Soybeans look good for those that have received some moisture, but we could use some area-wide precipitation to get the rest back on track. In summer, southern Kansas and Missouri are typically hot and dry, but we are all praying for a break!”
Kevin Krabel, Stine Region 13 RSA, central Illinois
“We are pretty much done with planting in Region 13. There are a few double crop soybeans being planted, but it’s the last of those acres. We had an extremely hot and dry June in most of my region, with most of the area north of I-70 getting almost no rain.. South of the interstate experienced more timely rains so pretty much everything down there looks good. I’m most concerned with the northern half of my region right now. Although we’ve had some good rains spread out over the past two weeks that have kept us from having a disaster on our hands, we need the rains to keep coming. If that happens, we’ll be in good shape.”
Ted Olson, Stine Region 19 RSA, northeast Missouri and southwest Illinois
“Some good rain showers have moved across Region 19 in the past week. This was welcomed greatly by the eastern side of the region, which had been on the moderate drought monitor. Despite the lack of moisture, corn and soybeans are in good shape. With wheat harvest done, growers are moving into fungicide application. The 10-day forecast looks favorable for pollination and has us excited for what this year’s crop will bring.”
To learn more about crop conditions in your region, contact your local Stine independent sales rep.