As I write this, many corn fields are at that “ugly duckling” stage, where energy for plant growth is transitioning from being accessed from the seed, to be accessed from the soil through the roots. Planting conditions were good for the most part, but it’s at this transition stage that any potential issues can start to show up, so scouting is important at this time. The crop looks good for both corn and soybeans, as many fields were planted timely.

Overall, I would say that corn stands are off a little compared to other years, but this is understandable with the amount of cold temps that we saw in late April and throughout the Month of May. According to soil temperature data from the University of Minnesota Outreach Center in Lamberton, MN, it wasn’t until May 20^th that the minimum daily soil temperature reached 50 degrees at the 2-inch depth and never dropped below that point. We saw 2, 4 day stretches where the minimum temperature at 2-inches stayed above 50 before May 20^th, but in each case the minimum temperature dropped back below 50 degrees  in the following days. Soil conditions were ideal at planting, but soil temperatures were not as ideal.

Soybeans are looking good for the most part, I am starting to see some IDC show up in know high Ph areas a little earlier than normal. This is more than likely because we had an abundance of soil moisture early, so the salts were able to move up in the soil profile. After planting started, these areas have received very little rainfall, so the salts stayed up in the profile and have not been washed back down by rainfall and are right in the root zone of the soybean plants at this time. Other than this issue, things look good.

Continue reading to get a more in-depth account of what the Agronomy Team is seeing in their respected areas:

Northwest Minnesota and North Dakota – Jake Salentine – Teams 26 & 27

Overall, my area is done except for a few beans here and there still going in. With the recent rain, that will pretty much do it with the insurance cutoff date around the corner. The corn has looked great. Survived the early frost. Emerged very well and had plenty of moisture from the start. Everything was getting pretty dry here the past week or so, so the rains we are getting here the past few days were essential. Lots of good heat the past 2 weeks as well to carry the corn along. Corn is anywhere from V4 to V8. Soybeans are anywhere from V2 to V5.

Eastern South Dakota – Jeff Long – Teams 33 & 35

Southern half = 100% corn planted; 95% soybeans planted. Southern half looks very good, early planting corn V4-V5. Soybeans growing very well, most got planted when weather warmed up.

Northern half = 100% on corn, some acres that did not get planted at all, what is growing looks good anywhere from V3-V5 corn. Early planted corn when we fell below freezing has had some stand issues mainly a missing plant here and there not enough to replant but will affect yield a little. Soybeans are 90% planted. Some ground did not get planted at all, it was too wet and after last night and today’s 1-2 inches of rain I think planting will be done. Most beans got planted during the warmup and came out of the ground real fast and look real good, however so do the weeds, spraying will have some challenges.

Northwest South Dakota – Justin Irlbeck – Team 32

Corn – Most of the corn planting in my area wrapped up around the 25th of May.  Growth stage wise we’re anywhere from V3 to V6.  Some areas within the territory struggled to get corn planted due to wetter than normal conditions. With recent rains this week we continue to stay saturated. We had plenty of heat in the last 2 weeks which has helped rack up some GDUs and was much needed after a cooler than average May.  The crop has really progressed quickly in the last week.

Soybeans – Most of soybean planting was wrapped up over last weekend with the exception of a few areas. Soybean growth stages range from VE to V2. 

Southwest South Dakota – Evan Donahue – Team 34

Crops are looking really good right now, (hopefully we don’t get hail tonight). Corn is around V-3-V-5, soybeans mostly emerged and some around the cotyledon to 1^st unifoliate stage. There is still some soybean planting happening the further west of Chamberlain you go, but if it rains tonight that will be over with. Most guys are finishing up on Sunflowers, and Milo. Depending on how much, if any rain tonight, planting will be finished. Crops overall look really good. 

West Central Minnesota – Chris Bryce – Team 31

Currently planting is complete.  Corn is in that V3-V5 stage. Corn stands have been erratic and inconsistent, but not a ton of replants. There has been a lot of sidedress N being applied at this time. For the most part the corn crop looks pretty promising. The majority of the soybeans are pushing that first trifoliate. Many of the soybeans were put into dry dirt, so much like the corn, the stands are a little inconsistent. A lot of the area could use a good rain to help push the crop along.    

Southwest Minnesota – Karson Herfurth – Team 30

After a few weeks of cooler weather and slow growth, corn and soybeans have really started to take off in SW MN. Corn has reached V5-V7 in most places by now and root development has gotten into key nutrients and transitioned corn from a light green to dark green. Many guys have wrapped up their corn post-emerge spraying and their early season side-dressing. Soybeans have really taken off in the last few days as well. Many are hitting V2-V3 and have begun post emerge herbicide applications.

Southeast and East Central Minnesota – Justin Krell – Team 28 & 29

In southeastern Minnesota we have seen warmer weather occur, giving crops increased development. Spraying and side-dressing has been in full swing for corn as much of the corn is V5-V7.  A large majority of the corn was planted the last week of April and has currently accumulated 525-575 GDU’s to date. Soybeans have developed nicely in the recent heat. They are currently in the V3-V4 growth stage and have good stands. Soybean post applications are beginning to occur. Overall the crop is in good to excellent condition even with large rainfall events that occurred in late May and early June.