It’s extremely wet throughout Minnesota. Farmers in South and South Central Minnesota have received more than 9 inches of rain in May, nearly the 100-year record of 10.3 inches. Experts say we have received an average of 5 months’ rainfall in May alone. Saturated conditions are setting up soybean fields for early season root rot issues; soybeans planted in early May are currently at the V2 stage. Corn that was planted around April 12 is at or close to the V4 stage. High winds have also been an issue throughout the state, wind and sandblasted corn plants may have provided an entry point for Goss’s Wilt, so we’ll need to keep an eye on this as the crop progresses.
A tank-mix herbicide will be key this year. Less than desirable growing conditions last year has caused major issues with volunteer corn plus warm temperatures in early March through May have led to more early season weed pressure than we typically see. Volunteer corn is actually more of an issue to soybeans then it is corn because it minimizes the effect of crop rotation and will have an impact on corn rootworm survival. Volunteer corn can also serve as a host for other corn diseases and can cause yield loss in soybeans from cutworm and seed corn maggot feeding.
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