As of Tuesday, July 8, the drought monitor report indicates two-thirds of the state, the southern two-thirds, is out of drought conditions. Stafford, Pawnee, and Rice counties are totally out of dry conditions. Barton County is still abnormally dry. The worst conditions are along the Nebraska border. The six-to ten-day outlook (July 15 to 19) indicates a 50 to 60% chance of likely below normal temperature and a 40 to 50% chance of leaning above normal for precipitation. The eight to 14-day outlook (July 17 to 23) indicates a 33 to 40% chance of leaning below normal for temperatures and 33 to 40% chance of leaning above normal for precipitation. The extended outlook is promising for summer row crops and forages, especially corn and grain sorghum.
As we reach the midpoint of summer, today let’s take a look at the condition of the summer crops.
• Corn – This was the year to plant corn as early as possible and much of the corn was. Timely rains and moderate temperatures resulted in an overall good start. Tasseling and silking was well underway by July 4th and some was already done pollinating. Overall, dryland corn looks the best it has in years. Seed set should be good with decent moisture conditions. What has also helped corn is the higher humidity which lowered transpiration demand a bit. The outlook for the next two weeks is overall favorable. As of today, we are looking at a decent to very good corn crop for our region. If the weather holds and we receive the precipitation in the extended outlook, our corn crop is basically made. As of now it looks like a very good year for irrigated corn with overall less irrigation needed. And in most fields, weed control appears to be good to excellent.
• Soybeans – Soybeans are overall decent. Rain prevented some fields from being planted as early as desired. Plants are either starting or about to start their extended flowering/rapid growth phase. Soybeans would benefit from rain and moderate temperatures. The critical period for pod and bean development starts about the end of July through August so precipitation and temperatures then will determine yield. Here, weed control also appears good.
• Grain sorghum – Grain sorghum looks good and isn’t minding this recent heat much. Most fields are approximately knee high and growing. Timely planted fields should start heading in two weeks or so. Sorghum is better able to cope with August heat and drier temperatures than soybeans and can even go into neutral and wait for a while under stress conditions.
• Feed crops – overall feed crops look promising, especially for the sudan grass and sorghum X sudan hybrids. As of now, timely planted sudan grass should allow for two decent cuttings.
• Double crops – rains slowed down the double cropping of sorghum and soybeans so we will have to wait and see.
Dr. Victor L. Martin is the agriculture instructor/coordinator for Barton Community College. He can be reached at 620-792-9207, ext. 207, or martinv@bartonccc.edu.
