South Dakota
Bill Eichacker reports that crop conditions have really improved during the month of August. Corn in his area is about 250 heat units behind, which is around 2 1/2 weeks behind. He says the frost needs to hold off the frost or the corn crop will be light test weight. Crop tours are underway. It looks like we could be in store for another bumper crop in 2009.
West Central Iowa
Travis Slusher reports that his area saw cool weather again this week with rainfall ranging from 1 inch to more than 6 inches across the area. He is finding Sudden Death Syndrome in soybeans across the northern part of the area at a much higher level than the southern part. Aphid spraying has been completed and pod fill is progressing well. Much of the corn across the area is denting. The crops still look very good, and farmers are expecting excellent yields. The RR2Y soybeans in the area are showing more pods per plant as compared to the competition planted alongside them.
Eastern Iowa
Brad Beatty reports that his area has received 13.5” in the last 36 hours. Before this rain, the area received 8” of rain during the prior two weeks. At this time, there is widespread flooding. Many volunteers are helping make sandbags. Farmers and customers will be spending time this week repairing pasture fence, as well as leveling the washouts in farm drives and driveways. The level of flooding is close to what we saw last year in the creek line areas. I have pictures of corn where you can only see the tassels above the water. I also have seen complete bean fields under water and big bales of hay floating down a creek. All crops are in need of heat and sunshine. We are almost two weeks behind in heat units. The coffee shop talk is all about when it will frost and whether or not the Chicago Board of Trade knows that this crop is not yet made. I’ve never seen a crop mature so slowly. My fear is that disease will lighten up test weight and moisture content will remain high, making the final yields a disappointment for some. I’ve seen rust really explode in corn fields, as well as anthracnose.
East Central Iowa
Wayde McNeil reports Sudden Death Syndrome is in fields that have never before had it. White mold is more scattered than in other years. Beans that were planted in mid-April are turning now. Corn is at 75% dent and disease is coming on strong. There are some problems of rootworm damage in corn-on-corn. Nitrogen deficiencies are getting worse as we go. We’re also seeing some tipping back on ears. Our area received 5.5 inches of rain in 36 hours.
Wisconsin
Steve Baile reports that Wisconsin has received rain about every other day this past week. Many of the days the temperatures haven’t been much above 70 degrees, so it’s definitely not helping gain ground on the GDU. Aphids in the lower areas of the state have reached threshold numbers in spots. The rain has caused the numbers to stay steady or decrease. Many of the fields in SW WI are showing signs of white mold and SDS. Some northern parts of the state received rain, which will help increase their bean yields. Many producers are getting ready to cut their last crop of new seeding alfalfa and are thinking about cutting already established fourth-crop alfalfa.

North Central and Northeast Iowa
Tom Larson reports that field days have started in earnest, providing a great opportunity to explain the benefits of all the new technologies in both corn and soybeans. First of all, in the corn we are excited to announce that we will have a good supply of GenuityTM Smart StaxTM hybrids. This latest event combines an 8-way stack of events to provide the highest level of protection in the marketplace against corn rootworm, corn borer, cutworm with ease of weed control utilizing Roundup® Ready technology at reduced refuge acreage of 5%. Along with SmartStax, we are launching our Agrisure 3000GT hybrids that have a 4-way stack including Roundup Ready, Liberty, corn rootworm as well as corn borers with excellent protection against cutworms as well. We also will have some outstanding Liberty corns and straight Roundup corns for your refuge acres.
In soybeans, Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans are in the forefront of technology. With a proven 3- to 5-bushel advantage over Roundup Ready 1 products, they are the first real breakthrough in soybeans since Roundup Ready beans were first introduced in 1996. Our Liberty soybeans look great, as well, with an excellent choice for those looking for a different mode of action in chemistry to prevent weed resistance.

It is easy to see why it will be an exciting year at Latham Hi-Tech Seed Company!

Northwest Iowa
Bruce Anderson reports that crops continue to mature in NW Iowa. There are a lot of large ears on the corn and a lot of pods on the soybeans. He received a couple reports from dealers who have commented on the new RR2Y varieties; they’re quite pleased with the number of pods on the plants. For those of you who want to plant RR2Y soybeans this coming year, order early to ensure availability because we don’t expect to have enough supply to meet demand. The aphids have been controlled and now everyone is waiting for harvest time. Mother Nature is working overtime to dry everything down to get the harvest under way!
Be sure to visit Latham’s booth at the Clay County Fair booth in Spencer from Sept. 12-20.
Central Iowa
Bob Collins reports that the skies are quiet in Central Iowa now that aphid spraying is complete. It’s too bad we can’t spray for SDS in soybeans as there are many fields showing its effect. The RR2Y beans still look good. I have noticed one field of corn showing some GLS. Over all, it looks like we’ll have good yields in central Iowa again this fall but a lot of the corn is going to be high moisture yet at harvest.

Minnesota
Jason Obermeyer reports that SDS, Brown Stem Rot and White Mold are rearing their ugly heads in some otherwise great looking soybean fields. The corn crop in the bottom tier of counties has the potential to be better than last year PROVIDED we get enough heat units to make it to the finish line.