Reports are for crop conditions up to June 4, 2020.
Western Maryland
Corn planting is winding down and much of what has been planted is up. Soybean planting is going fast and furious. Wheat is flowering and barley is turning. First cutting alfalfa is finished. Grass hay has been challenging to get dry with intermittent rains but much of it is in the barn. First cutting has been down this year due mainly to the cooler temperatures.—Jeff Semler, Washington Co.
Central Maryland
A majority of the corn and soybeans were planted over the last week and a half as the weather turned warmer. Rain at the end of last week paused planting, but I would expect the rest to be finished this week. May was certainly a drier month compared to the last couple of years, but so far this year, the county is slightly above normal rainfall for the year. In my walks around my neighborhood, I have noticed marestail that is a couple inches tall. Be sure to scout your fields, as marestail is best controlled when it is 4 inches or less!–Kelly Nichols, Frederick Co.
Lower Shore
Corn is 95% planted and soybean is 40% planted. Winter wheat is drying down. Herbicide-resistant weeds are starting to be apparent in burnt-down fields.–Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.
Northern Maryland
With a slow start to the 2020 planting season, conditions have dried and warmed nicely, allowing for nearly all of the corn and full season soybeans to be planted in short-order. Much of what is planted has emerged and is doing well, although there is some slug damage in some fields. Earliest planted corn is approaching V6. Wheat is finished flowering and the cool spring will make for reduced head blight symptoms, but DON levels could still be high; we will see as we get closer to harvest. Dry weather has made for a good first cutting of grass hay. Soil moisture is decent as the region has received some timely showers.—Andy Kness, Harford Co.
Upper and Mid Shore
Most of the corn and full season beans are planted and emerged. Some of both suffered some slug damage during the week of cool rain. They were able to feed 24 hrs/day with very little sunshine and wind. Side-dress nitrogen applications and post emergent herbicide applications on corn are in full swing. Compared to past years’ crop stages, we are about 2 weeks behind average crop growth. Barley is mature and drying down. Good quality and quantity hay has been made in the last week.—Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.
Southern Maryland
Intermittent rains have provided good growing conditions. Temperatures remained below average for the latter part of May but are warming up now with temperatures hitting 90°F this week. Additional rains will be needed to maintain topsoil moisture. Corn growth is behind most years. Early fields are approaching 12 inches tall and will be ready for side dress N applications this week. We are seeing more variability across fields with differences in soil type combined with cool wet conditions exaggerating emergence and growth across the field. Most corn grew out of frost damage without any noticeable effect. We had some slug damage and issues with soil crusting in some fields. Most folks are finishing up full season soybean planting and emergence has been very good. Barley and wheat is also behind. Barley should be ready to harvest in a few days and wheat is drying down now. The wheat and barley crop look good in the field. Annual ryegrass continues to be a problem across the region in small grain fields. There was a lot of nice dry hay made in the last three weeks. Cool season grass stands have responded well given the cooler temperatures and second cutting is shaping up to be a good one. Tobacco planting is also behind with growers playing catch up this week. —Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Co.
