Iroquois County, IL

Rain this morning has brought field activities to a halt.  On our farms we received a range of 0.3-0.9 in. of rain.  Some of the area storms last night and this morning brought hail while others received up to 4-5 in. of rain.  

Major farmer activities this week included postemergence herbicide application in corn and soybean fields, row-cultivating in soybean fields, sidedressing nitrogen in corn, mowing roadsides, hauling grain and the beginning of wheat harvest.  These activities all occurred after the 0.4-0.6 in. of rain we received on June 27 and continued through yesterday.  

Area cornfields range from the V6 to V11 growth stage.  Most corn is V8-V10 and about 4-5 ft. tall.  In 2010, we had corn pollinating at this date.  Area soybean fields range from the V2 growth stage to the R2 or full bloom growth stage.  

After the release of the USDA report, the local closing bids for June 30 were $6.63 for nearby corn, $5.90 for new-crop corn, $13.10 for nearby soybeans and $12.62 for new-crop soybeans.

Milford, NE

We have accumulated 1,050± GDUs as of today. We had 100° F temps yesterday and will be in the 90s through the 4th of July.

Early this week corn was at V9 and two rains totaling 2.5 in. have it in good shape at this time.  Beans are 8 in. tall and most in narrow rows are fully canopied.

I have seen grasshoppers in the grass on field borders; at this time numbers do not seem to be a problem but we will watch them closely.

New-crop corn closed at $5.90 and soybeans were $12.11 at yesterdays close.

Happy 4th to all!