Crop Conditions

July is quickly coming to an end, and for most farms in our region, the only significant rainfall this month came during the first few days of July. Since then, it has been mostly hot and dry. High humidity and morning dew have helped, but crop stress is becoming more evident this week, especially on lighter, sandy soils. Farms with lighter soils are beginning to lose some yield potential, but most fields are holding up quite well so far. The good news is that the forecast is calling for rain chances starting tomorrow, with additional chances next week. I believe we still have good yield potential, but we will need above-average rainfall in August, along with normal or cooler temperatures, to maintain it.

Corn pollination has recently finished. We are already seeing some signs of tip-back from the heat, but nothing overly concerning yet. Many fields have been treated with fungicides to protect against leaf diseases, and so far, we are not seeing as much disease pressure as we did in 2024 or 2025. Late-season stress can reduce kernel size and weight. Hot weather accelerates maturity, while cooler temperatures slow it down. A slightly cooler-than-normal August would be ideal for maximizing yields by extending the grain-fill period.

Soybeans are now beginning to set pods. Soybeans are generally more resilient than corn during dry conditions because they have a much longer reproductive window. They can continue producing new blooms and pods while adding plant growth at the same time, and this process will continue for the next month. Overall, soybean conditions are good. August is the most critical month for determining soybean yields. Soil moisture is the biggest concern right now, so timely rainfall throughout August will be critical to maintaining good yield potential.