With a dry spring hanging over the corn belt, concerns of returned crop stress remain going into the second half of the season. Regional drought monitor maps give reason for this concern as drought lingers in across much of the central US.
US corn and soybeans experienced a relatively fast spring planting season due to dryness that eventually became a flash drought. This raised concerns that another 2012-style drought was upon the corn belt. By the end of June, crop condition ratings from the USDA had plummeted to levels worse than 2012. However, the weather pattern started to change the last week of June, bringing a more favorable precipitation outlook. This and the cooler temperatures since the middle of June have held off major yield losses from crop stress.
Corn was planted early, but showed a significant drop in condition from May through June compared to other years.
Soybeans were also planted early, but showed a significant drop in condition from May through June compared to other years.
For agricultural spraying activities, the drier May and June allowed most all planned herbicide applications to take place but did limit some soil-applied herbicides from activating after application. The recent rains have caused a late flush of weeds at crop canopy closure and some need for additional post-emergence applications.
The efficacy of corn fungicide applications came under discussion due to the dry conditions experienced in mid-June. But now, with the return of storm activity and better yield prospects, fungicides are more likely to be applied as planned.
While some areas are experiencing relief much of the US is still experiencing some form of drought. The maps below compare drought intensity June 20th to July 18th in the Midwest, High Plains, and Southern regions.
While drought pressure has reduced intensity across much of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan, the Midwest is not out of the woods. Missouri and select areas in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin have continued or increased intensity to severe, extreme, or exceptional drought. University of Nebraska Lincoln Drought Monitor
While there are still many abnormally dry areas, moderate, severe, extreme, and exceptional drought has decreased across the High Plains. University of Nebraska Lincoln Drought Monitor
The South has shown little improvement as drought intensity continues to increase across the board. University of Nebraska Lincoln Drought Monitor
While much of the West is experiencing a higher percentage of rainfall, much of the Midwest remains drier than normal.
From now on, crops will need weekly rainfall to avoid crop stress due to low subsoil moisture reserves. At this moment, the longer-term forecasts look warmer and drier to the end of July. This leaves some concern that the major crop stress that occurred in June could return.
Amid an exceptionally dry spring, lingering concerns arise that crop stress may resurface as forecasts predict warm and dry weather to persist throughout July. Many applications have taken place, but weather conditions have limited their effectiveness causing reapplication in some cases. As the end of the season approaches, retaining moisture and continued precipitation will be key factors for a successful crop year.
While athletes almost always prefer natural grass fields, artificial turf is a widely used playing surface due to the perception that it is easier to maintain. There’s been a recent push to shift artificial surfaces back to natural grass as big-name players sustain season-ending injuries and organizations prioritize playing surface conditions when selecting hosts for tournaments.
Turf needs water to survive. If not managed effectively, soil moisture can cause consistent problems such as water-repellancy that create dry patches, inconsistent turf appearance, and in severe cases, complete loss of turf. Turf wetting agents help move water into the soil, improve uniformity, and increase moisture retention.
Soil water management plays a big role in both agriculture and turf industries, but turf holds secrets to advancements in moisture management technology that haven’t reached agriculture yet. Agricultural wetting agents are here and ready to help farmers manage water and keep moisture in the soil.
As the heat of summer nears, so does the threat of fungal diseases infecting turf. Planning a fungicide application with adjuvants based on environmental conditions and the turf ecosystem can improve fungicide effectiveness.
Fungicides are an important part of plant health, protecting crops from disease. Corn tar spot, southern corn rust, and frogeye leaf spot are a few diseases that can be costly if not treated with an effective fungicide application. Planning an application with adjuvants specifically targeting these diseases is imperative to reducing disease pressure.
How do great ideas turn into high-quality products? The idea is translated into a stable, quality formulation then the questions begin. At what rate should the product be applied? When should it be reapplied? Can it be mixed with other materials? Does it need to be watered-in? We answer these questions by conducting field trials to put new product ideas to the test under real-world conditions.
Adjuvant decisions may not seem like a big deal, but they can make a real difference in active performance, agronomic effects, and overall cost of an application. It’s important to ask questions to understand product composition and potential agronomic effects to determine if an adjuvant will truly be cost effective.
Have you ever purchased a potted plant and noticed that after a few rounds of watering it, the water was going straight down to the drainage holes? This classic case of water repellency or hydrophobicity in the soil can be resolved with the use of soil surfactants, or wetting agents.
With ongoing drought in the southern plains and increased snow cover in the the north and west, the US is split between dry and wet conditions this spring. As rain and snow cover relieve California and surrounding states, the extra water is causing concern for dam pressure and flooding.
This site uses cookies and other tracking technologies to assist with navigation, monitor site usage, and web traffic, assist with our marketing efforts, customize and improve our services and websites, as set out in our Privacy Notice.