1. Field Observations

The dry weather played havoc with more than a few corn fields. I'm seeing uneven emergence in both no-till (difficulty getting seed into the ground, getting good seed-soil contact) and conventional tillage (uneven or nonexistent soil moisture). But just as many fields are reaching v6-v7, which is the end of the critical weed-free period.

This drought map should be different by this time next week, when the expected rain will have come just in time for hayfield regrowth.

2. Growing Degree Days (See: Climate Smart Farming Growing Degree Day Calculator)
Growing degree days (GDD) are calculated by taking the average daily temperature and subtracting the base temperature for development of a given organism ((High + Low)/2 - base temp = GDD). For corn silage, we are using base 50/86, as corn development starts at 50 degrees F and ceases above 86. Check your location and planting date:

3. Pest and disease monitoring

Potato Leafhopper and Alfalfa Weevil
Alfalfa weevil numbers are finally waning, so they should not be a factor in 3rd cutting alfalfa. And thankfully, we are still seeing very few leafhoppers (far below threshold). When we have more numbers to report, we'll add that data table here.

Black Cutworm (BCW) and True Armyworm (TAW)
Numbers increased this week, and I have seen some sparse cutworm damage in our region. So continue to check your fields until V6 (~12") for cutworm damage.