The Ag PhD Crop Scouting Reports are supplied by contributors to Hefty Seed Co., based in Baltic, South Dakota. Find more online at www.agphd.com and www.heftyseed.com.
ARKANSAS
Augusta, AR
The earliest planted corn needs some nitrogen. Consider flying on a blend of 50 lbs ammonium sulfate and 50 lbs urea to provide a fix until the ground dries. — Perry Galloway
1-2 leaf rice that is about to go under water should be ok for about 10 days; 7-14 days would be a broader range depending on water temperature, depth, and clarity. Hopefully the water will get on and off in a hurry. Small soybeans at V1 with mild hail damage to the 1st trifoliate should be ok as long as they are not broken off at the ground or stripped. V3-V4 corn with wind and hail tattered leaves will be fine. There are new leaves in the whirl and should look a lot better next week. Let’s keep our heads up, this thing is going to get fit before long and we are going to get after it! — Joey York
IDAHO
Buhl, ID
Spraying your pre-emerge herbicide on your corn ground using high NRG-N as a carrier will save you a pass and help you get better coverage. — Van Wiebe
ILLINOIS
Georgetown, IL
Research from Iowa State University has shown that when planted, the corn may take 3 weeks to emerge in soil temperatures averaging 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures averaging 60 degrees may take from 10-12 days. Soybean emergence requires the average temperature to be around 10 degrees warmer than corn to start to respond. Keep this in mind while waiting to see plants start to emerge in our current conditions. — Evan Zimmerman
Princeton, IL
Wet, compacted areas of the fields could lead to SDS in your soybeans. Adding drainage to these areas will help by allowing more oxygen to get to the roots. — Mike Denton
It might be tempting to skip the soil applied herbicides this year, but resistant weeds are becoming more of a problem and the best way to control these weeds is by having a good pre-emerge program. This is especially true in soybeans where our options to control weeds post-emerge are less than what we have for options pre-emerge. Don’t skip the pre-emerge herbicide programs! — Matt Denton
Resicore and SureStart offer very flexible application windows from pre-to post. They can be used with many different tankmix partners. — John Becker
IOWA
Sheldon, IA
Emergence is a critical part in a plant’s life. You can help that along by having proper levels of manganese in the soil. This micronutrient will play a big part in the plant emerging and also help stalk quality later in the season. — Adam Sauer
If you have not heard yet, good news! Roundup PowerMAX, and WeatherMAX have been labeled to be tankmixed with Xtendimax. One requirement is that one of the labeled DRAs (drift reducing adjuvants) listed on the label must be tankmixed in as well. As this label is always updating and developing, make sure you are checking the Xtendimax application website or with your local agronomist for the most recent list of all approved pesticides, adjuvants, nozzles, and application requirements. — Nathan Kloft
If you tried saving money on seed this winter by eliminating certain Bt traits, you are not alone. It’s not too late to prevent your crop from being completely helpless to below ground insects if your corn isn’t in the ground. Planters equipped for granular insecticides can put a full rate of Precept in-furrow for $18/acre. If you’re running a liquid system, consider a generic bifenthrin at $3.50/acre or FMC’s Capture LFR+VGR for $9.20/acre accompanied by their Plant Stand Assurance and Replant Assurance programs. — Connor Majerus
MINNESOTA
Breckenridge, MN
One of the great things about corn is that you usually aren’t limited to a small application window to get a pre on. Most products are still labeled past corn emergence so you don’t have to fret. For example, Harness at 2.25 pts/acre is a great pre product and is labeled up to 11-inch corn! — Tia Johnson
Fairmont, MN
I was talking with a producer today who was considering skipping seed treatment now that we’re into May. I would strongly advise against this. The reason we might be a little late planting beans is because it’s been extremely wet and cold – the ideal soils for pathogens to harm your seeds. For right around the cost of a bushel, you can protect your seed and make sure they get off to a great start. — Mike Bates
Hancock, MN
If you are considering a burndown to kill emerging weeds before putting your crop in the ground, make sure to keep an eye on the plant back restrictions on the herbicide label. — Aaron Giese
There are still a few fields of wheat that will be planted in Pope and Stevens County. Seed beds are looking very good on these fields with the exception of an occasional low spot. Dropping about 1.7 million wheat seeds per acre on a seed bed free of dirt clumps and air pockets should give you the optimum of 35 plants per square foot. — Adam Gibson
Janesville, MN
If you’re looking for a little something different to increase yields on your farm this year, give Nutri-Cycle a try. It’s a multi-faceted biological that can be added to your in-furrow fertilizer or with water in-furrow. One 55 gram pack will cover 40 acres. — Todd Traynor
LeRoy, MN
It looks like we might get a nice weather window to get a lot of corn in the ground. Remember to be safe, especially when you are putting in long hours. The most important thing is that we are there for our family. Be safe out there! — Grant Lunning
In the next few days we will begin to see a lot of planters in the fields as ground conditions are fit and it is time. No matter what crop you are planting, seed depth is really important. In corn we typically like to see the seed 1.5 to 2.5 inches deep. Soybeans are planted more shallow at 1 to 1.5 inches. An important reminder is to continue to check your planting depth while you are planting and make sure you are placing that seed where it has the best possible start. — Katie Ristau
Marshall, MN
Planting corn into cold soils can slow emergence and corkscrew the mesocotyl. Dig up a few corn seeds and check them to see that they are progressing and that the root tips are not turning brown. — Dave Timmerman
Adding Atrazine to your corn spray enhances the kill of weeds such as waterhemp and other broadleaves. Be sure to read the label on height restrictions in corn and have your R.U.P. (Restricted Use Pesticide) license current and up-to-date. — Jeremy Jensen
With the warmth finally returning to our area, the broadleaf weeds are starting to emerge in the small grains. If the small grains are in Feekes stage 4-5, that is also the optimal timing for an application of Headline at 3 oz/acre. — Mike Homandberg
Olivia, MN
Resicore is a new herbicide labeled for corn that controls grasses and small-seeded broadleaf weeds. It can be used either pre-emerge or post-emerge, and fits nicely in a Roundup Ready corn program. Resicore is a combination of Surpass, Callisto, and Stinger. — Aaron Spronk
6-inch soil temperatures in the area are around 45 degrees. Another day or two of warmer weather and we will be warm and dry enough to plant. Pick up your seed and pre-emerge chemical if you have not done so and make sure your equipment is ready to roll. — Tony Hagen
If you want to help the emergence of your corn crop this year and your soils test low in manganese, you should consider adding a quart of a manganese chelate. We have seen good results in helping to even out the emergence in our soils. — John Scheibel
Thief River Falls, MN
Corn planting is underway in northwest Minnesota. Using QuickRoots can lead to improved early vigor and a better root system to help the plant throughout the growing season. — Alex Yaggie
Ulen, MN
It’s just starting to look positive for getting field work rolling around here. If you think of any changes you may need to make to your crop plan, I would address those as soon as possible. The later it gets, the fewer your options, and when it comes to soybeans, the right bean for your dirt is the best chance for a banner crop. — Greg Peterson
Winthrop, MN
Even if you are using SmartStax or Double Pro seed corn, you can protect your seed with an in-furrow insecticide. We have had great results with Capture LFR at 6.8 oz/acre and if you are corn-on-corn or on conventional acres, use a full 8 oz/acre rate. For a small investment, we have seen big returns. — Dean Christiansen
One thing I want to stress this year is just because we have the new Xtend bean and dicamba chemistry available, it is still very important to get a pre-emerge herbicide down in your bean fields. This will make the Xtend, Engenia, and Fexapan chemistry last longer. — Tyler Gasow
If you have silage corn in the field this spring, look at using some RyzUp SmartGrass – a plant growth regulator – on it. At a little over $4/acre, a 0.5 oz/acre rate mixed with water at the V3-V6 range will make a significant difference in the amount of tonnage at cutting time. — Matt Vogel
MISSOURI
Bertrand, MO
Some area farmers have been planting soybeans. Remember to use three pre’s for better weed control season long. — Albert Duenne
Hayti, MO
Most of the rice in our area is coming out of the water and looks pretty good. It still has a long way to go and with more rain expected over the next week, it’s going to have even more stress on it. — Eric Luye
MONTANA
Sidney, MT
As soil temperatures are warming up cutworm activity may increase as well as other insects; so scout fields. Brigade, Capture, Warrior, and Mustang Maxx are some suggestions for controlling cutworm and other bugs. Please check the label for which insects the insecticide controls. — Chester Hill
NEBRASKA
Laurel, NE
Since it’s too wet to be in the field, it’s a good time to spray your lawn and get rid of those dandelions. We have had really good luck using some Trimec. — Rusty Reifenrath
I know the calendar says it is time to plant, but don’t skip the pre on soybeans. It will be far more costly if we have to take care of marestail and waterhemp with an all post program and it will be less effective. — Kody Urwiler
West Point, NE
I know it might not be your first priority right now, but keep pasture spraying in the back of your mind. Grazon NXT HL is a very safe and effective product to use. — Jared Steffensmeier
NORTH DAKOTA
Hurdsfield, ND
Do not skip the inoculant on your pea crop, even if it’s blended with oats or barley. Dry inoculants produce more consistent results over liquid, but any form is going to help your peas fix nitrogen more efficiently. Peat forms are easy to use and brands like Cell-Tech are only $0.80-$0.90/bu. — Emily Kline
Lisbon, ND
Many people will be planting corn and soybeans at the same time this year. Make sure that you are keeping up with spraying pre’s, especially in soybeans even if that means parking the planter for all or part of a day. Products such as Authority MTZ and Valor must be applied before the beans start cracking the ground. — Adam Ladwig
Mohall, ND
I just looked at corn north of Minot that was seeded April 15th. There is not even a sprout yet on the corn, but the corn did not seem to be deteriorating too badly. Watch ground temperatures before seeding. — Ron Hefta
Webster, ND
It is key to use a good fungicide and insecticide seed treatment in this cold climate when planting your wheat, corn, and soybeans. For wheat, our choice is NipsIt Suite. It offers the best insecticide on the market for wheat. For corn, Capture LFR is a good choice if you want to put it in with your liquid fertilizer. Otherwise, use Brigade if you have a separate liquid system or injector system as it is much cheaper. For soybeans, we use Intego Suite which offers the new ethaboxam fungicide for the best pythium and phytophthora control on the market as well as an insecticide treatment. — Jim Sitar
If you are planting wheat this year and have trouble with wild oats and foxtails, consider putting down a pre-emerge herbicide like Pre-Pare for grass control and some broadleaf control as well. — Stephanie Stensgard
Wilton, ND
Fields are greening up but the spray conditions aren’t very good right now. If you have to spray before crop emergence, use quality surfactants and keep your Roundup rates over a quart. — Jamie Schurhamer
SOUTH DAKOTA
Aberdeen, SD
Now that the weather is starting to warm up, we are beginning to see fields green up. Aside from kochia, we will likely start seeing a lot of curly dock in fields. Curly dock is a perennial, so try to stick with growth regulator herbicides such as Detonate (dicamba) to take down perennial weeds. Curly dock will often be found in the wetter spots of the fields and will typically get big pretty quick, so make sure to be using good rates of at least 0.25 to 0.5 lb/acre where applicable. — Justin Hanson
Consider using QuickRoots this year on your corn and soybean seed. QuickRoots expands your root system which improves nutrient uptake of N, P, and K. This is a great way to maximize your yield and help capture more of your applied fertility. — Kalen Kjellsen
With corn planting under way and soybeans right around the corner, make sure you are checking seed meter calibrations on your planters. If this calibration is off you may see skips or doubles in seed placement. Different size seed may require a different disk cell size. — Tanner Johnson
Baltic, SD
Last year in the local area there was a huge outbreak of marestail in soybeans. Marestail is generally considered a no-till problem, but I saw this weed a lot in conventional till fields as well. So what is the solution to killing this nasty weed? Step one would be to plant Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans. This will give you the ability to spray Xtendimax or Engenia pre-emerge to wipe out marestail. — Tyler Koenig
When corn planting starts back up, make sure you are planting at the appropriate depth. Corn has to be planted at least 1.5 inches deep so there is enough room for the nodal roots. If more shallow than that, your corn plant will have nodal roots above the ground. My best recommendation is to plant corn at a 2-inch depth. — Lee Fischer
Centerville, SD
Planting in the area should start up again soon. Be sure to stop periodically and check your planting depth. Corn should be planted at 2 inches to 2.25 inches deep and soybeans should be 1 inch to 1.5 inches deep. — Travis Petty
While you are out scouting your fields, don’t forget to take a look at your pastures as well. With daytime temperatures starting to increase and overnight lows escaping the freezing temperatures, now might be the time to look at spraying thistles and other problem weeds in your pastures. Products with Milestone in them like GrazonNext work great on most of your pasture weeds and thistles. Keep your rates up, add in a surfactant, and spray in the heat of the day to achieve your best results. — Ryan Kusser
A great tool in the toolbox for your operation could be Xtend soybeans this spring, especially if you’re seeing resistant weeds showing up in the fields. Xtendimax and Engenia herbicides are approved, along with many tankmix partners. Alleviate some stress by considering Xtend soybeans as they’ve shown great yields and crop protection benefits. — Peter Strom
Freeman, SD
With the wet soils now starting to dry out, farmers are going to push the limits of planting. Make sure you’re not going into unfit ground and planting. Wet and soggy soils can cause sidewall compaction, leaving the furrow open and resulting in poor seed-to-soil contact. This will cause uneven emergence and restricted root growth. — Matt Zilverberg
There are a few guys going to spray pasture or hay ground when it warms up towards the end of the week. Distinct at 4-5 oz/acre will be very good on broadleaves and thistles. This will give you a little residual and you won’t have the carryover concerns you would with Tordon or Milestone. — Lee Dockendorf
Huron, SD
The weeds in the field are getting some size to them. When applying burndown products, make sure you adjust the rates to account for the larger plants, and if there is some grass coming you may need to add some Roundup for control of grass. — Norland Hofer
With soybeans going into the ground soon, one thing to consider is how you’re going to combat these tough weeds that have already begun to show up in the fields. Planting Xtend beans is a great way to diversify how you’re going to knock some of these out. The new formulation of Dicamba (Xtendimax/Engenia) has almost no volatility risk, and better yet, can be sprayed ahead of Xtend soybeans with no residual worries. — Kyle Wiese
If you are planning to use Aim herbicide in your burndown this spring, it is a good idea to add 1 gallon of crop oil or methylated seed oil per 100 gallons of spray solution and 2 to 4 pounds of AMS per acre. These adjuvants will increase the efficacy of the Aim and lead to better control. — Garritt Dykstra
Kimball, SD
We had some disaster fields last year when rain kept farmers from applying a pre-emerge herbicide on soybean ground. Soybean pre’s aren’t as flexible as corn herbicides. Most need to be applied before the soybeans emerge. Many times you can save yourself a lot of trouble by parking the planter for a day and getting some pre’s put on with the sprayer. As the temperatures get warmer, the time between planting and emergence gets smaller. — Mike Erickson
Watertown, SD
Due to the warm winter we had, there will be a lot of pests in your corn fields this spring. To control wireworm, white grub, and cutworms, use Capture LFR at a rate of 4-6 oz/acre. — Russ Werning
We are seeing some good results from a new product called Nutri-Cycle, which is bacteria and fungi that can be mixed in with liquid starter. It comes in a 40-acre bag. — Jack Beutler
There has been a little corn getting planted in our area. With the cooler temperatures we’ve been having, giving the corn an early boost is very beneficial. QuickRoots is a good option if you are looking to get a boost and add more yield. QuickRoots improves nutrient uptake while helping the plant be more efficient. — Beau Wensing
WASHINGTON
Farmington, WA
With the cool and wet weather we’ve been having, we’ve seen some wireworm pressure in some fields. Capture LFR is the only labeled choice we have as an in-furrow application for legumes (chickpeas, peas, lentils, etc). Use it at a rate of 5.3 – 8.5 fl oz/acre. It can also be mixed with fertilizer. — Jamie Rovey
Quincy, WA
Goatgrass along the roadside and entrance to fields is at an all-time high. Scout these areas now as the goatgrass is very obvious at this time of year. Look along fence lines and borders where vehicles enter the field. Controlling these areas will keep seeds from being dragged into the field. — Dave Dye
