Iowa Farm Bureau president Brent Johnson says pest pressure intensified for many corn and soybean growers last month.
“We’re watching a lot of disease issues right now. I’ve heard some soybeans are getting a little weedy, and we’re getting a little late in the season to address a lot of those.”
The Calhoun County farmer tells Brownfield it was difficult to determine whether another fungicide or herbicide pass would pay off.
“A lot of questions whether we should be in a field treating either weeds or diseases, or not. And how are we going to finish out this crop?”
USDA’s latest weekly crop update says August ended with just spotty showers across Iowa, allowing for cutting and baling hay.
Corn at the dent state or beyond advanced to 63 percent, two days ahead of last year but two days behind the five-year average. Eighty-four percent of the state’s corn crop is rated in good to excellent condition.
Soybeans are maturing near normal, with 19 percent coloring or beyond. The condition rating fell to 77 percent good to excellent.
And the third cutting of alfalfa is nearly 90 percent complete, with pasture condition rated 72 percent good to excellent.
