Western Maryland
Much needed moisture graced the valley this past week but is being followed by strong winds which are giving some pause as we race to get the remaining corn and beans harvested. The cover crops and cereals that have been planted are off to a good start as well. It is just about time to blow off the equipment, grease it and rinse the sprayer for the final time before buttoning things up for the winter. The manure spreaders and tankers will continue to get out the last of the stores before the December cut off as nobody wants to go into winter with any extra manure hanging around. After a good winter’s nap we look forward to spring. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to all!—Jeff Semler, Washington Co.
Central Maryland
After a rainy, cloudy, and windy transition from October to November, the sun is making more of an appearance, and slightly warmer weather is predicted moving into next week. Most corn and soybean fields have been harvested, with a few still standing. Cover crop planting is well underway. Even though we’ve had some colder weather, it’s been warm enough for those winter annual weeds (i.e. chickweed, henbit, and deadnettle) to grow well, so be sure to scout your fields if going into small grains.—Kelly Nichols, Montgomery Co.
Northern Maryland
In the last two weeks we have had some rains, heavy dews, and fog that has slowed an otherwise early harvest. Soybean harvest is just now starting to pick back up since last report. Full season soybean yields continue to be very impressive. Corn harvest is about 70% complete; moisture has been stubbornly high. Overall, yields are down from 2019, but the later planted corn and later maturing varieties are yielding strong. Cover crops have emerged very well with the moisture we had in October. 2021 wheat and barley planting for grain is approximately half finished.—Andy Kness, Harford Co.
Upper & Mid Shore
Wet, wetter, wettest, etc. It has been the wettest and most humid October that I can remember. Harvest has been difficult and stressful. Corn harvest is almost complete, but soybean harvest has been in the starting stage for 3 weeks. Hopefully by the time this is published, combines are rolling thru bean fields. Early yield reports are phenomenal and hopefully continues. Early planted cover crops looks great, with the exception of being nitrogen deficient. This year, it didn’t seem to matter how it was planted, it emerged and started growing in record time. There is very little commodity barley and wheat planted, but that should change this week. There are going to be many cut up/compacted fields this year.—Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.
Lower Shore
Corn is 90% harvested with slightly below average yields. Soybean harvest was delayed due to a rainy couple of weeks and very saturated soils. This week’s conditions have dried out to the point where growers are beginning to resume soybean harvest. We have had frosts in some areas. Cover crop seeding was also delayed in many fields due to very saturated conditions.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.
Southern Shore
Season Wrap-Up—“I’ve said it once and now I’ll say it again—I need a taller pair of boots”. Those are my exact words from the fall 2018 season wrap-up. It seems I may need to upgrade to hip waders after 2020. The region received record rainfall over the last several months and it just won’t quit. Producers are still struggling to get corn off, with moisture remaining high, stalk rots causing significant lodging, and pictures of combines stuck up to their axles an all too common site. Soybean harvest is finally underway, though fields remain wet and hard to navigate. Small grain planting is behind schedule as well. This week should allow farmers to catch up on some acres with drier conditions in the short-term forecast.
In general, this season has resulted in good to very good yields for corn with prospects for very good soybeans yield as well. The season started with a series of late frost holding back planting. Those same frosts caused significant damage to an otherwise healthy wheat crop. Crops grew well through June, but faced a few weeks of hot and dry conditions in late June and early July, followed by scattered showers in late July. That all changed in August when remnants of hurricane Isaias dropped double-digit rainfall totals in many areas. Rains have continued through November. Corn and beans have been slow to dry down and as mentioned before the harvest has been a challenge. On the brighter side- duck season comes in soon. Maybe those hip-waders will come in handy if the water does not recede shortly.—Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Co.
