The Red River Farm Network Crop Tour, presented by Pioneer, is now its third day. On Day #2, RRFN’s Don Wick and Megan Ternquist made stops in Amenia, Buffalo, Jamestown, North Dakota and Frederick and Groten, South Dakota. A second leg of Tuesday’s tour visited Cooperstown, Ypsilanti and Lidgerwood, North Dakota.
In Amenia, North Dakota, Rush River Seeds owner Shaun Nelson said the crop is catching up as the growing season progresses. “A common theme around the area is the need for a late frost and more heat is needed.” The crops will benefit from a long fall season. “Looking at the root system, you can see the story of the crop. Some of the crop got forced in. Some corn fields around Mapleton had green snap, due to the planting conditions.” Hear more about the Amenia crop.
Near Cooperstown, North Dakota, Innovation Ag owner Brandon Krueger said cold temperatures and tough soils were challenging this spring, but conditions improved after farmers got the crop planted. “I’m impressed with how it all turned out this time of the year. The soybeans are adding pods nicely, but there is some white mold starting to show up,” said Krueger. “I’m not sure how bad it will be, but it is there.”
Page, North Dakota – based Page Seed and Agronomy co-owner Paige Elsner said the soybeans are handling wet conditions really well. “There are also good things in the lineup for Xtend beans going into next year.” Regarding insect pressure, Elsner said there’s been some thistle caterpillars and grasshoppers, but few soybean aphids. Learn more about the soybeans at Buffalo.
Near Courtenay, North Dakota, the corn and soybeans have great potential, but need time. That’s according to Greshik Seed owner Matt Greshik. “The soybeans will likely be ready for harvest by early October.”
With saturated soils, the corn crop has lost key nutrients. At Buchanan, North Dakota, Plainview Seed and Agronomy owner Matt Carlson said a good nitrogen program takes on more significance. “This is the time of the year I like looking for different characteristics in the leaf” and utilize that information when making plans for 2020. “Granular software is helping farmers better manage product.” Kochia is the biggest weed worry in the area north of Jamestown. Take a look at the crops between Jamestown and Buchanan, North Dakota.
Stand issues are challenging the crop near Ypsilanti, North Dakota. Crop Innovations, LLC owner Levi Taylor said farmers planted the crop regardless of planting conditions just to get the crop in. “There’s variability in each field with the corn not maturing at the same time. There are pockets ahead of others.” The earlier planted corn is in the R4 stage, finishing the milk stage and soon will be denting. The soybeans are behind, compared to a normal growing season. “The plants are trying to add pods on the top. There’s also some white mold in fields.”
At Frederick, South Dakota ,there are some nitrogen deficiencies in fields. Yet, Frederick Seed owner Rich Achen says there could be fairly decent yields. “On a lot of these fields, we’re at early dent for the majority of the corn. That corn was planted around May 10 to May 15,” said Achen. “I’d say we need another 30 days to hit black layer. We need heat to finish the crop out.”
The 2019 growing season is similar to a roller coaster, according to Ron Wegleitner in Claremont, South Dakota. The first big hill on that roller coaster was the late planting conditions and wet fields. “There are drowned-out spots in areas, which will be a challenge at harvest because those spots are behind. We are about 500 heat units behind last year.” The humidity and dew have renewed concern about white mold in soybeans, but Wegleitner hasn’t seen much of that this year. “We have good varieties to help against white mold. So far, it looks good.”
Tuesday’s tour ended with positive news. There’s corn in the dent stage near Groten, South Dakota. Bierman Farm Service owner Joel Bierman still wants warmer weather to bring the crop to the finish line. “We do need some heat and we hope it will turn up.” Groten farmer Nick Strom has a massive Pioneer IMPACT Plots on his fam and he likes what he is seeing. “I know a lot of people had problems this year, but our area is looking good. The corn is probably going to be one of the best we’ve ever had.” Take a closer look at the corn near Groton, SD.
Red River Farm Network’s second crop tour, presented by Pioneer, continues throughout this week, covering northwest Minnesota, North Dakota and northern portions of South Dakota. The Red River Farm Network Crop Tour is presented by Pioneer. Follow tour progress on Facebook, Twitter and via #RRFNCropTour19.
