Western Maryland
Our precipitation has become more spotty in recent weeks. The corn and most of the soybeans are looking good. It won’t be long before the corn silage harvest begins. We did have a microburst that laid some corn flat in a very small area. Even though we have had good moisture in June and July, the corn hasn’t rooted as deeply as in drier years. I think we will have good yields. I wish the price were better. The second cutting grass hay and second and third cutting alfalfa have been better this year. Until next month, I wish you timely showers.—Jeff Semler, Washington Co.
Central Maryland
Rains continued to be scattered throughout the county over the past month. Temperatures have thankfully dropped this week. Corn is looking good and in the milk to dough stage. There is some lack of pollination in the top several rows on the ear. Soybeans are developing pods. Minimal feeding from pests such as green cloverworm and Japanese beetles is present. Beneficial insects, such as lady beetles and spiders, are also present! Montgomery County is currently being inundated with spotted lanternflies, but they are more of a nuisance pest and won’t cause issues in agronomic crops.—Kelly Nichols, Montgomery Co.
Northern Maryland
Rains have been consistent in the region; some storms have been severe and brought several inches of rain in an hour, but in general, we are getting just the right amount of moisture. Most of the corn crop looks very good with most heading into dough and dent stages. There have been some localized reports of tassel wrap affecting pollination. You can find tar spot and gray leaf spot and a few other minor pests, but in general, the crop looks very good. Full season soybeans are putting on pods and look good; some are extremely tall, which worries me as tall beans don’t always yield well. We will see what August brings. Second cutting hay has as been made in between the rains.—Andy Kness, Harford Co.
Upper & Mid Shore
As the reproductive crop stages continue in corn and soybeans, this 2025 season looks to be a very successful one. Pop-up rain showers have continued throughout July, keeping drought conditions at bay. This has greatly helped dryland crops, and has minimized irrigation use. Wheat and barley harvest have finished and average yields are looking very good. The good growing conditions have allowed noxious weeds to proliferate, particularly along field edges. This season has been especially hot and humid leading to disease pressure that has affected fruit and vegetables producers.—Travis Ford, Caroline Co.
Lower Eastern Shore
The weather has been wetter this month than the previous, although rains have been variable across the region, with some areas of the lower shore even facing excessive rain. Corn is looking OK, but there is concern about how the earlier season drought stress will affect yield. Irrigated corn looks good. Soybean is looking average across the region. Farmers are spraying fungicide, a second round of herbicide, and cutting hay.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.
Southern Maryland
We have enjoyed the cooler weather for the last two weeks, but that is coming to an end. Wheat harvest wrapped up with good yields and quality, but some fields were delayed due to rain and equipment breakdowns. Corn is tasseling or has finished up and is looking strong after timely rains. Soybeans are off to a good start, and most double-crop beans are coming along but could use some more rain. Weed pressure is picking up in spots after earlier showers. Overall, crops look good heading into the heat of summer.—Hayden Schug, Charles Co.
*Regions (counties):
Western: Garrett, Allegany, Washington. Central: Frederick, Montgomery, Howard. Northern: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll. Upper & Mid Shore: Cecil, Kent, Caroline, Queen Anne, Talbot. Lower Shore: Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico. Southern: St. Mary’s, Anne Arundel, Charles, Calvert, Prince George’s
