Reports are for crop conditions up to June 3, 2021
Western Maryland
Corn and beans are all in the ground for the most part and the first cutting hay is in the barn. We received some welcome rain and cooler temperatures but it looks like the heat is coming back. That’s good for the corn as long as the rain showers continue. Wheat and barley are in full head and ripening nicely. Some alfalfa second cutting has been harvested and the rest will be soon.—Jeff Semler, Washington Co.
Northern Maryland
For the most part, all corn and nearly all full-season soybeans are in the ground and coming along nicely. Earliest planted soybeans are around V4, earliest corn is close to V6 and sidedress nitrogen is starting along with post-emerge herbicides. Barley is ripening and wheat is looking good so far—still a bit too early to notice any head scab symptoms but the weather has been dry so scab should be fairly low this year. We received some very much-needed rain over Memorial Day. Prior to the rain it was perfect hay weather, and first cutting of alfalfa has been made. Triticale yields were reported to be very strong.—Andy Kness, Harford Co.
Upper & Mid Shore
We were getting dry before the Memorial Day weekend rain. Corn and beans are both off to a great start. Post emergent herbicide applications are under full swing. Corn is being sidedressed. Barley harvest will start Monday. Wheat still looks good with scab levels very low. Lots of high quality hay was made before last weeks’ rains.—Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.
Lower Shore
Wheat has flowered and is drying down. Cover crops have been terminated, although some were saved for wheat harvest due to favorable spring growth. Corn has been planted, and is generally around VE to V3 stage. I’d estimate half of soybean acreage has been planted. The earliest planted beans are around V2. We had a couple of weeks of very dry weather, which caused some growers to pause planting. Over Memorial Day weekend, it rained 2-3”, which was much needed to recharge the soil profile. Herbicide-resistant weeds, such as common ragweed, marestail, and Palmer amaranth, are starting to emerge. Now is the time to spray these seedlings to stay ahead on control.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.
Southern Maryland
The region experienced a dry spell in the last month but rains returned over the last couple of weeks. Corn growth continues to be behind most years with many variable fields. Most corn fields are exhibiting some yellowing chlorotic growth. I expect plants to green up soon with return of moisture and warmer growing conditions. We have had some issues with pre herbicide activity most likely due to limited moisture to activate herbicide in to the germination zone. Side-dress N applications have begun this week on corn. Full season soybean planting is wrapping up. Barley will be ready to come off any day. Wheat fields are beginning to yellow. Unfortunately, we continue to see increasing levels of ryegrass in wheat. This has been a tough year for killing ryegrass prior to planting corn and soybeans. Cooler weather and tank mixes may be limiting herbicide activity as well as some potential herbicide resistance. There was a lot of nice dry hay during the dry spell.—Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Co.
