Cropwatcher 09/18/09

Todd Easton Coles County September 18 2009: Crops here in Coles County are steadily coming to maturity aided by the recent heat and lack of rain fall. Our growing degree days for late may planted corn are approaching 2500 units which puts the majority of the area corn crop at physiological maturity in less than two weeks. Soybeans are turning rapidly because the hot and dry conditions. We have yet to get the late rain I was hoping the beans would get but there is a chance for some this weekend but it may be too late to do very much good. By this time next week I’m sure there will be a scarce combine or two running with many more following the next week. I can hardly wait for the combine monitors and truck scales to tell us how our crops dealt with such a uniquely challenging year and what we can learn from it.

Cropwatcher 09-11-09

First things first TO ALL THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES OF SEPTEMBER 11 2001 WE HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT EVER FORGET WHAT HAPPENED THAT FATEFUL DAY GOD BLESS AMERICA !

Here is a picture of the south place from the north place wish the corn was more even compaction really got us this spring.

Todd Easton Coles County September 11 2009: Finally some warmth this week bringing us another 150 growing degree days putting the total 2350 for late May planted corn but we are still 150 units behind normal. The few acres of late April planted corn looks like it could be harvested but I’m sure those growers will let some natural drying occur before they start picking. The rest of our corn is showing quite a bit of visual improvement but is still more than two weeks from physiological maturity. The early third of area soybeans are finally starting to turn yellow which should mean a couple more weeks before cutting begins while the later beans are still very green and really need an extended growing season. All but the earliest beans could use a rain very soon to ensure good pod fill but nothing seems to be in the forecast so we are hoping for a surprise.

Cropwatcher 08-28-09 Bring on the heat

Todd Easton Coles County August 28 2009: Another week past and how many left to go? With the Markets in their usual late August doldrums it seems all the local talk has shifted to when will the corn be dry or at least dry enough to harvest. After a really good reader suggestion to mention our growing degree day situation and a bit of researching I estimate the majority of the late May planted corn in our county has accumulated just under 2100 heat units and if it was an average 110 hybrid it will need an additional 600 units to mature. Based on average weather patterns that should mean about a month to go before it reaches physiological maturity and if you want to take it to the elevator dry it will be even longer. Soybeans on the other hand base themselves on day length and very well could be out of the fields by the time the corn is even ready. While that would be good for our harvest schedule I hope it also does not bring too much of a yield penalty due to the late planting season but we may be already seeing that with some producers saying pod counts are down 15 percent from last year. Until next week keep up the heat but don’t forget the rain.

Cropwatcher 08-21-09

Todd Easton Coles County August 21 2009: Well we got the rain I said we needed last week in most areas with accumulation ranging from just over a tenth to just under an inch and from what I have seen it will do the corn some good and the beans a lot of good. Our Coles County Extension Office hosted a county wide corn yield check and asked me to participate in one of the groups. I’m very grateful that they did as I enjoyed getting to see what was going on through out the area. First of all the final county wide estimate came out to be 154.5 bushel per acre which was disappointing to most all who participated. We all saw quite a bit of tip back that seems to have occurred in the last week and a few pollination issues. Another observation I would make personally is that the producers who pushed their populations to the high side will be rewarded for doing so when the combines roll. As for the soybeans they really appreciated the rain and are doing well for now but have a very long way to go and really need things to go right.

Cropwatcher 08-14-09

Todd Easton Coles County August 14 2009: Another hot week here in Coles County as with the rest of the state. There was also no sign of moisture through the week as well which has caused field surfaces to get hard and cracked. Corn seems to be enjoying the heat and sunlight it is receiving and drawing on moisture reserves as it continues with ear production. The Soybeans are blooming and setting pods but have a long way to go for big yields. Rain as usual will be the crucial factor for both crops and will hopefully come before too long other wise we will see a lot of ears with unfinished tips and beans with less pods than we would like. Until next week cross your fingers for some rain or better yet say a quick prayer.

Cropwatcher 08-07-09 ACRE - Good Luck

Some Impressive ears found on the Martin Farm

Todd Easton Coles County August 7 2009: Summer heat and humidity seems to have finally shown up here in Coles County. I have spent most of the week in and out of several fields in spite of the heat to see how the crop is getting along and have been surprised at how much potential we actually have so far. The majority of the corn is in the R-2 to R-3 stage I have not seen any pollination problems and population and kernel counts are very good. Soybeans so far look good also and range from beginning bloom (R-1) to beginning pod (R-2) stages and are almost canopied in even the 30” rows. So right now we have potential we will need rain and warm temperatures through much of September to hold on to it. Grandpa wanted me to mention our rainfall total here so far has been a whopping 34.2”and we have received 5” of rain since July 1 and hopefully will get close to that in August. With one week to go I am still trying to figure out this ACRE program and I wish luck to anyone else who is trying to do the same.

Cropwatcher 7-31-09 Salesman Season

Todd Easton Coles County July 31 2009: Hard to believe it is the end of July already the really late planting season seems to have thrown me off on where the calendar should be. Salesman season seems to have started I have already had a few come by fortunately their pricing this year seems to be more realistic of course no seed prices yet but I hope those numbers won’t be too shocking. We received light showers the last weekend that brought .5 to a full inch in places. Currently we are getting well timed rains and hopefully that continues through August. Our latest corn fields are getting a good start on pollination while the rest of them are done pollinating in all but the low spots that I’m afraid will be disappointing when the combines roll through. Soybean fields have had some good growth in just this last week most in the R2 stage and hopefully will continue this and come closer to where they should be this time of year. Until next week watch out for the salesmen.