Western Maryland
These past few mornings have been so pleasantly cool that I had to break out a long-sleeve shirt. While the temperature and the heavy dew are a welcome respite from the oppressive heat of July and much of August, what we wouldn’t give for some rainy days. Showers have been so widely scattered that it has rained one inch, and a mile has gotten nothing down the road. We got spoiled with the showers of June and early July; now the best we can hope for is a heavy thunderstorm, and they have been hit or miss. Silage harvest has started, so that we will have some indication of yield. Early soybeans and corn still look pretty, but the combine will tell the tale. Soon, planters will run behind manure tankers as triticale and emergency cereals are planted for fall and spring forage. As the saying goes, it will rain; when it does, we will need it.—Jeff Semler, Washington Co.
Central Maryland
Corn harvest has begun. We are really dry again and hoping the chance of rain over the next few days pans out! In two double crop soybean fields that I’ve been scouting in Montgomery County, aphid populations were moderately high but being kept in check by predators such as lady beetles and lacewings. Both full and double crop soybeans have minimal insect feeding from beetle and caterpillar pests.—Kelly Nichols, Montgomery Co.
Northern Maryland
Dry weather has returned—since last month’s report, we have only had one inch of measurable rainfall at the Extension office, and even that was isolated; some areas have far less, especially the farther west you go. Fortunately the majority of the corn crop was pollinated by then, but a dry August usually means light soybean yields. Double crops still have some yield potential if we get September rains. Dry weather has led to higher than usual insect pressure, especially in soybeans. Cooler temperatures have returned and with it tar spot has flared up. It is low in most fields but there are pockets where it is severe. A lot of hay has been made over the past month with great drying conditions. Silage harvest is finished or near finished on many dairy farms. Combines have dabbled in a few acres of early corn as the weather has been very conducive for drying; the jury is still out on yields.—Andy Kness, Harford Co.
Upper & Mid Shore
It’s been dry on the Upper Shore this month, with little to no rainfall to speak of. The effects are starting to show; bean leaves are cupping and some of the later-planted corn is curling under the stress. In response, many center pivots are back in action to help crops through the final stretch. Most of the corn is already at maturity and drying down fast, while the later-planted fields are sitting at dent stage. Full-season beans are beginning to turn color as well. As always at this time of year, weed escapes are an issue. The best move is to control them before those seeds mature and make deposits into your seedbank, adding to your problems next season.—Dwayne Joeseph, Kent Co.
Lower Eastern Shore
It’s been a cooler than normal August. Corn is drying down. A few corn fields in the region have already been harvested, but most farmers are about a month out, waiting for lower moisture content. Soybean is in reproductive stages. Cover crops are starting to be aerial seeded into standing crops. Podworms are prevalent this year, especially in double-crop soybean; farmers are scouting and spraying.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.
Southern Maryland
Conditions have turned dry over the last several weeks. Corn harvest is ramping up now with reports of good to very good yields. Some later planted corn will be hurt will premature dry down and poor grain fill. Full season beans looked exceptional coming into August with very good pod set. Time will tell how many of those pods will fill out with drier conditions. Double crop beans are coming along but will need some moisture soon. Unfortunately, we have had some pest issues above threshold that are requiring treatment. Soybean aphid populations were prevalent in many fields 2-3 weeks ago. Last week we began finding podworms above threshold. Both are worse in double crop or replanted soybeans. The dry weather has provided ideal conditions for putting up dry hay. We should have a plentiful hay stocks this winter. Many hay producers are complaining of constant weed pressure, especially foxtail, horsenettle and crabgrass this summer.—Ben Beale, St. Mary’s 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
