The West and Southwest are traditionally ahead of the corn belt. Find out how crops are progressing in the southern region.

Central and South Texas
Most of this region ranges from early harvest to complete with harvest for corn and sorghum, with a few spots further North still a few days from beginning to harvest. Southern Rust was an issue in some areas and required treatment and Northern Corn Leaf Blight popped up in a few of the wetter areas but was generally not at a level to cause an economic concern. Overall, many growers have reported above average yields with exceptions being low lying fields where water stood, terraces, or in areas where fertilizer application was hampered by wet conditions. The growing season was unseasonably wet this year over much of the geography, and products with the most top-end yield potential seem to have fared the best, with the more stable hybrids trending a little further behind.

Texas Panhandle and New Mexico
Planting was delayed throughout much of the Texas panhandle, as rounds of storms continued to roll through much of the area throughout the planting season. New Mexico also saw a delay in some areas as well. As a result, there is a wide range in crop progress through this geography. In some places, corn is 20%+ starch line, but later planted silage corn has yet to tassel in parts of New Mexico. Days have been hot over the last few weeks, which should help keep later planted crops moving along through much of the geography.  While some areas have had a few showers, things are getting dry through much of the geography. Corn rootworm pressure was heavy in some areas early, but since then we haven’t heard too many reports of serious insect or disease pressure through most of this region.

Kansas and Western Missouri
Crop progress across Kansas is highly variable with corn ranging between nearing harvest in the East to milk stage out West. The biggest issue in Kansas this year will be whether the Fall weather will be warm enough and long enough to help finish out the latest planted fields. If the weather stays warm, the crop should be able to finish up.  Areas to the East have generally seen tougher growing conditions with wet spots and uneven corn due to weather related nitrogen losses or missed applications. Out West, yield potential is a bit better. We have had reports of some Southern rust to the East, but generally reports of insect and disease pressure have been normal to low.

California and Pacific Northwest
California has a wide range of crop progress as well. Much of the alfalfa is on about the 5^th cutting of the year, with pest pressure having been fairly low this year. Generally, yields for alfalfa have been good this season. Early planted silage corn looks very good, with harvest getting underway. Pest pressure in corn has been fairly light overall as well.  Corn planted during the heat wave that California experienced early in the season is considerably more variable due to the stressful conditions but is still looking OK for the most part, and late planted corn after the heat had generally good stands and is progressing nicely.