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Crop conditions throughout the southern third of Michigan, from east to west, are mostly very good. In a Channel Seed growing season update, Jake Bonnell, Field Sales Representative at Bayer Crop Protection says there is good reason for optimism when you look at corn and soybean fields.
“All in all stands have been extremely good and we’ve got a lot of potential out there today for both corn and soybeans.”
But, it is getting to a point where rainfall is past due.
“I would say we’ve got some pockets that are definitely hurting for some moisture,” Bonnell said. “When you look at the development status of where we’re at on both those crops, corn and soybeans, we’ve proven over the last 3 years that limited amounts of rainfall during June and July isn’t detrimental to yield. We’ve seen some later rain periods the last few years that have really filled the crop out and given us some tremendous yields, and we’re in the same boat today as we were last year or the year before. All in all, I still think rainfall is going to drive a lot of potential for this crop, and we need to have it.”
Bonnell said farmers do need to keep an eye out for disease, especially northern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot and tar spot, which is now confirmed in 4 Michigan counties.
He adds there have been varied results from weed management programs this year. Beyond water hemp, volunteer corn in soybeans has been prevalent.
“We put such an emphasis on water hemp and managing it, we almost take our eye off the ball a little on that volunteer corn. So, I guess I would encourage the farmers and everyone in the area, don’t forget about that grass type weed that’s volunteer corn that we might struggle with later on. So, water hemp has been the big driver though. That one can be a nightmare for us to manage, and if we don’t take care of it this year it just enhances the problem for next year with the amount of weeds and seeds that that little bugger can make.”
Hear more on weeds and disease in the full MAT and Channel Seed growing season update:
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