By Karen Braun
FORT COLLINS, Colo., Sept 16 (Reuters) - Recent and expectedwarm temperatures are seen helping late-planted U.S. corn andsoybeans move toward maturity and avoid early frost, but theCrop Watch producers are not any more optimistic about yields asa result. The growers still have concerns about light testweights in the corn and low pod counts in the soybeans, alongwith reduced pod fill in the last couple weeks.
Crop Watch 2019 follows one corn and one soybean field ineight major U.S. Corn Belt states, reporting on weekly progressas of Sunday. The fields belong to the same eight growers fromlast year’s Crop Watch. (https://tmsnrt.rs/2Waikwk)
Each week, the producers evaluate yield potential on a scalefrom 1 to 5. The lowest score is well below farm average, 3 isnear farm average, and 5 is well above. Condition scores havebeen discontinued as they become less meaningful as crops movetoward maturity.
The eight-field average for corn yield stayed at 3.25 as nochanges were made this week. Soybean yield expectations fellslightly to 3.25 from 3.28 in the previous week based on a minorreduction in Illinois.
EAST CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA
Corn and soybean yield scores remain at 2.5 apiece. The cornhas reached the dent stage, the final one before black layer,which is fully mature corn. Black layer is expected in two orthree weeks, but it may take until mid-November for the corn todry down sufficiently for harvest, assuming normal weather. Thesoybeans could be ready for harvest in three weeks. The recentwarm weather is helping move crops along, but the rains havebeen highly detrimental to the small grain harvest. Many areaproducers are taking huge quality discounts on their wheat as aresult, and harvest has been slow.
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Corn and soybean yield scores remain at 3.75 and 4,respectively. The crops received 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain lastweek, and despite some warmer days, there were more clouds thansunshine, which is needed. The same trend of warm temperatureswith cloudy conditions will continue this week. The subject cornfield was planted on time, but late-planted fields in the areaprobably need a month yet to make maturity.
NORTHEAST NEBRASKA
Corn and soybean yield scores remain at 4 and 3.5,respectively. The warmer temperatures will help move the cropsmore quickly toward maturity. The weather could potentiallystill benefit the beans, but the corn is done at this point.Excessive rainfall in the Northern Plains last week has causedflooding in the area, which is close to the Missouri River, forthe third time this year. That is more likely to negativelyimpact soybeans than corn.
CENTRAL KANSAS
Corn and soybean yield scores remain at 2.5 and 3.5,respectively. The corn may be ready for harvest in about 10days, and while it is drying down quickly due to the heat, theproducer thinks test weights could be impacted. The soybeanswould still benefit from rains, though the pods are beginning toharden. Rain would also be preferred as the area prepares toplant winter wheat. The corn harvest has begun in the area andso far, the results are average as expected.
EAST CENTRAL IOWA
Corn and soybean yield scores remain at 4 and 3.5,respectively. The corn is a week from black layer. Warmtemperatures and 2 inches (51 mm) of rain last week were helpfulfor the crops, but the producer is concerned that soybean yieldexpectations could be a bit high because the number of pods perplant is not strong. There is also concern that later-plantedcorn in the area might come in lighter than expected, soproducers remain cautiously optimistic.
SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS
Corn yield remains at 3.25 but the producer reduced soybeanyield to 3.25 from 3.5. There has been no rain in the last twoweeks, and the next week looks dry. This is especiallyconcerning for the replanted part of the fields, where the beansare still green. The earlier-planted beans have mostly turnedyellow, a sign they are closer to maturity. The producer is alsoconcerned that the replanted corn may have lighter test weightsthan he expected.
CENTRAL INDIANA
Corn and soybean yield scores remain at 2.25 and 3,respectively. The recent and expected warm weather has somewhateased earlier concerns over whether very late-planted corn wouldmake maturity. However, the weather is not necessarily adding toyields. The producer still expects that most harvest activity inthe area will occur next month.
CENTRAL OHIO
Corn and soybean yield scores remain at 3.75 and 2.75,respectively. The producer’s area has recently been dry andthere is no rain in the forecast. Soybeans could have benefittedfrom more moisture, but the dryness and heat will prevent anybushels from being added at this point. The corn field isfinished, and the heat is helping it to dry down. Area producersare not overly optimistic, especially with later-planted fields,and crops in the northern part of the state need frost to holdoff until Nov. 1, at least.
Field photos and more information on Crop Watch 2019 can befound on Twitter using the hashtag #CropWatch19 or by followingthe handle @kannbwx.
The following are the states and counties of the Crop Watchcorn and soybean fields: Griggs, North Dakota; Freeborn,Minnesota; Burt, Nebraska; Rice, Kansas; Cedar, Iowa; Crawford,Illinois; Boone, Indiana; Fairfield, Ohio.
(Editing by Matthew Lewis)