Reports are for crop conditions up to July 3, 2019
Western Maryland
Overall, the crops look great for the wet start that we had to the year. A few corn fields are beginning to tassel. The hot weather over the last week allowed for many hay and small grain fields to be harvested. Of the few reports of wheat that I have heard, head blight seems to not be as major of a problem this year.—Kelly Nichols
Northern Maryland
The past couple of weeks have been hot and dry. On average the crops look very good, but the region could use a little bit of water, especially now that a good bit of the corn is at or near VT. A few timely isolated storms have provided some moisture in some areas. Barley harvest is complete, with a few acres of wheat still needing to be harvested and baled. Reports are of good yields and good quality; a much-needed change of pace from last year. Early planted full-season soybeans are reaching flowering and double crops are going in the ground. The drier weather has provided some nice hay and straw-making conditions. —Andy Kness
Lower Eastern Shore
Corn is now between late vegetative and tasseling stage. We have had a dry spell and corn is starting to suffer from heat and lack of moisture. Soybeans planted mid- to late-May are in full-bloom, while soybeans that were delayed due to wet fields are still in vegetative stage or just beginning to flower. Most double-crop beans have been planted. Cover crop sign-ups are underway and on track to reach last year’s numbers. Herbicide-resistant ragweed and marestail are problematic in some fields, and we have at least one report of 8” tall Palmer amaranth. There is notable deer grazing damage in many soybean fields.—Sarah Hirsh
Southern Maryland
Conditions in most of So MD are in need of moisture. Sporadic showers and thunderstorms provided relief to some areas, but as a whole the region remains dry. Corn is entering the second week of pollination, and is in critical need of moisture to maintain yield potential. As a whole, the corn crop still looks very good. Full season soybeans also look good overall with many fields beginning to close crop canopy. Wheat is mostly done. Yields have been variable, with some excellent and some not so good. Thankfully, there has not been a lot of scab or DON issues. Double crop beans are going in now. Pest issues have been minor. Scouting for spider mites will be important with continued hot and dry weather. Palmer amaranth is loving this hot weather. In corn fields, palmer amaranth is 3-4 feet tall. In soybeans, palmer is anywhere from 18-24 inches in height on average. Scout now to identify problem fields and make rescue applications or hand pull plants. Broadleaf tobacco is being topped this week with cutting about 3 weeks away. Black shank is starting to show up in a big way in fields without a transplant fungicide and heavy black shank pressure. Cool season grass is starting to feel the effect of the dry and hot conditions. Some good quality hay has been made in the last two weeks.—Ben Beale & Alan Leslie
