Shelby Crop Report from Roger Bender, AgNR Shelby County

A few good drying days this week allowed soils to dry for better root growth in corn and soybean crops, hay harvest and wheat drydown. Rain Thursday and Friday halted field operations.

Corn: Tasseling on the earliest planted corn may begin early next week; a limited number of acres were planted in late June for silage harvest. Appearance of stands at various stages of growth has improved in many fields as corn roots begin to access nitrogen from side dressing and weed control is improved.

Soybeans: Most advanced stands are at R-3; some fields just emerged earlier in the week. Many fields show evidence of some replanting. Drier soil conditions encouraged improved root development, helping fields look much better at week's end.

Wheat: Harvest in earliest maturing fields began late Tuesday and continued Wednesday. Moistures were in the upper teens and yields were reported in the upper 70's and lower 80's. Green straw and scattered immature heads should challenge combines less when harvest resumes; probably Sunday. Green weeds are poking above the canopy in many areas and can only become worse.

Forages: Several days of excellent drying weather allowed producers to finalize producers to finalize most of the first cutting hay harvest. Unfortunately, much of the late made hay was not only too mature, some had been well washed by rain after cutting.

Integrated Pest Management: Light populations of Japanese beetle were seen in the soybean sentinel plot. Otherwise, few reports of insect infestations have been received. Many acres of soybeans were replanted due to seed and seedling diseases. Way too many fields exhibit lousy weed control. Windy conditions and wet soils limited herbicide application opportunities.