Reports are for crop conditions up to August 1, 2019
Western Maryland
It has been hot and dry the last few weeks. Overall, crops still look good. Some corn fields are beginning to curl, but hopefully the rain that is on it’s way will help. Farmers have cut the second cutting of grass hay, and the third cutting of alfalfa hay. —Kelly Nichols
Northern Maryland
Most corn in northern Maryland is well past pollination and is now filling ears, with many acres in the dent stage. Late planted corn is yet to tassel and could use some moisture, but the vast majority of the crop that was seeded on time and filling grain looks very good. As long as we get some periodic rains, we should be on pace for some record yields. Soybeans have taken off in the past few weeks and are looking good. Second cutting of grass hay has been busy during the last couple of weeks with the good weather. Harvest of early corn for silage should start in the region within the next week or so. –Andy Kness
Upper & Mid Eastern Shore
While corn planting was spread out over two months, the grain fill period has tightened up. The early corn is dented, with the later corn just completing pollination. Corn in the upper part of the region looks phenomenal and is on pace to set record yields. The lower part of the region has areas suffering from drought conditions, which will prevent the record yields per acre, but there are record acres. Much of the corn has been treated with a fungicide for gray leaf spot, which is prevalent on the lower leaves in most fields. Overall, I am optimistic about corn yields. We are on pace for long lines at the granaries this fall! Depending on maturity group and planting dates, soybeans are anywhere from V1 to R5. Spidermites are causing damage in some of the droughty fields. Palmer and other pigweed are showing themselves above the canopy now. Remember, it is much better to walk out across that bean field and remove that one palmer plant now, rather than spread those half million seeds around with the combine this fall! There have been sufficient windows between rain to make good quality alfalfa and grass hay. –Jim Lewis
Lower Eastern Shore
Most corn and soybean have reached reproductive stages, while some late-planted crops are still in vegetative stages. Corn is still showing signs of drought stress in many fields. Dry and hot conditions will likely lead to corn yield loss, and we have seen evidence of incomplete kernel set. We have had multiple calls citing herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth, some reporting 5-6 ft tall Palmer. At this point, Palmer should be hand-pulled or, if that is not infeasible, the area should be mowed and sprayed with Paraquat to keep the Palmer under control. Herbicide-resistant common ragweed and marestail is also problematic in many fields. Deer are commonly seen foraging on crops. Cover crop enrollment period has ended and sign-ups are similar to last year’s numbers. –Sarah Hirsh
Southern Maryland
Excessive heat and limited rainfall over the last three weeks has taken a toll on crop conditions. Corn is curling and in many fields has browned up with ears turning (droopy ears) prematurely. Many of these fields were close to black layer and in very good condition just three weeks ago. The extent of yield loss will be determined by how mature the corn was when the drought stress occurred. I expect most early planted fields to be off 5-10%, while late planted fields may be off 40-60%. Soybeans are also struggling. Some double crop plantings have died. This is the time of year when herbicide resistant weeds become really evident in soybeans. We are finding Palmer amaranth emerging above the crop canopy now. Palmer is adapted to these hot dry conditions and will continue to grow and produce seed heads. Be on the lookout and remove these plants before harvest if possible. Cool season grasses have gone dormant and browned up. Tobacco harvest is underway. –Ben Beale
