Category: Corn

Maryland Regional Crop Reports: November 2021

Crop reports are for conditions up to November 11, 2021.

Western Maryland

The trees are coloring, while not as pretty as when we receive summer showers but we will take it. Four good nights of hard freezes give us hope winter will bring some healing from insects and disease. Nearly all of the corn and beans are in the bins and the wheat, barley, rye, and triticale are planted. The last of the dairy manure will soon hit the ground and everyone will head to the shop to begin winter repairs and maintenance looking towards spring 2022. Depending on where you are located in the county, grain yields were mostly unaffected but hay and silage yields were down. Looking forward to a better 2022. —Jeff Semler, Washington Co.

Central Maryland

After temperatures dipped down to freezing at night for a day or two last week, we finally have a few warm, sunny days to continue harvest, which rains in the past month had made challenging. On average, I have heard reports of at or above average corn and soybean yields, as well as some local and regional mills being full.—Kelly Nichols, Montgomery Co.

Northern Maryland

In general, harvest ‘21 has been very smooth. Weather has cooperated with the exception of a few cloudy/rainy days in October that stopped combines for a few days. Just about all corn and full season beans have been harvested, the majority of what’s still sanding in fields are double crops. Yields for corn, full-season, and double crop beans have been very strong across the board. Soil temperatures and moisture conditions made for very good cover crop and small grain establishment. The talk of supply shortages, double and tripling fertilizer costs and other rising inputs has put a damper on an otherwise exciting harvest. Hopefully 2022 inputs will not price us out of farming!—Andy Kness, Harford Co.

Upper & Mid Shore

It has been a very smooth harvest season. Bean harvest is winding down, with most farmers finishing full season beans and working on double crop beans. Small grain and cover crops look excellent.—Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.

Lower Eastern Shore

Corn harvest is complete. About 30-40% of soybean has been harvested. Recent floods and high water table in the region have delayed some fields from being harvested. Wheat planting is progressing well with 70-80% of the acreage planted. Early planted small grains have emerged and are looking good at this time. While cover crop planting is still underway, many early-planted fields are already seeing substantial growth. This fall cover crop growth should provide great benefits in terms of scavenging leftover nutrients from the soil. If conditions are favorable, we are expecting a lot more cover crop to be seeded with the extended MDA planting date deadline.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.

Southern Maryland

Weather conditions have been decent for harvest with the last of the corn coming off now. Farmers are scrambling to finish up soybean harvest as well. Soybeans have been hard to get down to 13% moisture in many cases. Both corn and soybean yields have been very good to excellent. Small grain planting is a bit behind schedule due to the weather conditions as of late. Most folks are getting cover crop and wheat planting finished up this week. This area received its first frost last week; we still haven’t received a hard frost but most vegetable crops are finished. Time to put this season to bed and get ready for next spring.—Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Co.

2021 Maryland Corn Hybrid Performance Tests

Nicole Fiorellino, Extension Agronomist, Loius Thorne, and Joeseph Crank
University of Maryland, College Park

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT HERE

Test Procedures

The University of Maryland offers a fee-based, corn hybrid performance testing program to local and national seed companies. The results from these replicated trials provide agronomic performance information about corn hybrids tested at five locations in Maryland considered representative of the state’s geography and weather conditions. Table 1 summarizes the agronomic and production information for each test site.

Hybrids tested in 2021 were entered by participating seed companies, listed in Table 2, that were solicited for submission of hybrids. These hybrids represented those currently available for purchase to experimental lines still under evaluation. Select Dekalb, Mid-Atlantic Seed, and Pioneer hybrids were identified for use as checks in the test. The inclusion of the performance data for check hybrids that are proven performers in the Mid-Atlantic region allows comparisons of newer hybrids to proven hybrids.

During 2021, 71 hybrids were tested using three maturity groups: early season (11 hybrids, Table 5), mid-season (24 hybrids, Table 6), and full season (36 hybrids, Table 7). Each company designated maturity group assignments for hybrids they submitted. Check hybrids were included in each of the five tests. All hybrid genetic traits and seed treatments are listed in Tables 5-7.

Each hybrid was replicated three times per location. Planting was done with a modified, four-row John Deere 1750 planter equipped with coulters and trash wheels for no-till planting. The modified planter units were manufactured by Clewell Precision Machine, Inc. Milton, PA. Each plot was four rows spaced 30 inches apart. Target population was 30,000 seeds per acre at dryland locations and 34,500 seeds per acre at the irrigated location (Salisbury Facility). Plot harvest length was approximately 32 feet. Harvest stand and number of lodged plants were counted within two weeks of harvest. The center two rows of each plot were harvested with an Almaco R1 research combine (Almaco Co., Nevada, IA). Grain yield, harvest moisture, and test weight were measured for each plot. These data were collected with a Seed Spector LRX system (Almaco Co., Nevada, IA) and recorded on Microsoft xTablet T1600.

Test Results

The overall performance across the locations for the hybrids in each maturity group is reported in Tables 8-10. Hybrid performance at individual locations can be found in Tables 11-25. The agronomic characteristics reported are yield, in bushels/acre corrected to 15% moisture content, harvest moisture content, percent lodging, test weight (lb/bu) at 15% moisture, and harvest population.

Good weather in 2021 was a welcome change from the events of 2020. Generally, yields were good across the state, with some isolated pockets experiencing challenging conditions. Planting and harvest was timely this year with yields averaged across the five locations for early (11), mid- (24), and full-season (36) varieties at 217 bu/ac, 234 bu/ac, and 244 bu/ac respectively. These yields were 28%, 29%, and 32%, respectively, to those observed for early, mid-, and full-season hybrids in 2020.

A least significant difference (LSD) value is reported for each test where statistical significant differences (P ≤ 0.1) for a variable were observed among hybrids. The mean separation value has been calculated at the 10% probability level (LSD0.1). The LSD can be used to compare two hybrids within the same test. For example, when the yield difference between two hybrids is greater than the LSD value, there is a 90% certainty that the difference in yield is real rather than due to random variability. The coefficient of variation (CV) is a measure of the variability that existed at a test site. It is used as an indicator of the degree of precision for a test. In general, CV values below 10% for yield indicate that the precision for distinguishing yield differences was very good. Generally, CV values were mostly low this year, with at least one maturity group at each location lacking power to determine differences in yield among the hybrids.

Relative Yield

The selection of a hybrid or hybrids based solely on performance at one location is not recommended. It is better to select hybrids based upon performance over a number of locations and years, if possible. In order to compare the performance of each hybrid across the five locations, relative yield tables (Tables 26-28) are included. Relative yield is the ratio of the yield of a hybrid at a location to the mean yield of all the hybrids at that location expressed in percentage. A hybrid that has a relative yield consistently greater than 100 across all testing locations is considered to have excellent stability. In 2021, 11 hybrids met this standard: Hubner H4390RC2P (early), Dekalb DKC59-82RIB (mid), Dekalb DKC61-41RIB, Hubner H09G056, Seed Consultants SC1112AM, Dekalb DKC67-94RIB (full), Dekalb DKC70-27RIB, Dyna-Gro D55VC80, Growmark FS 6306T RIB, Hubner H13G513, and Seedway SW 1579VT.

Acknowledgments

The University of Maryland Corn Testing Program would not be possible without the assistance and oversight of equipment maintenance, seed packaging, planting, data collection, and plot harvest by lead research technician, Louis Thorne. This work could not be accomplished without the assistance of research technician Joseph Crank during the season. Also, we acknowledge the undergraduate students for their assistance with seed packaging. Huge thanks go to Dr. Bob Kratochvil for his many years of work developing the protocols for the corn testing program and the undoubtable number of hours that he dedicated to the preparation of these reports. Thank you to the crews at Wye Research and Education Center and Lower Eastern Shore Research and Education Center for sharing your experience, tools, and space in your shops with Louis Thorne as he continues to keep our equipment running. Table 1 outlines the crews at each test location who assisted with land preparation, flagging, plot management, and harvest. I personally would like to acknowledge each farm manager, David Armentrout, John Draper, Ryan McDonald, and Douglas Price for their support of the corn testing program and their continued patience with me.

Additional Information

The inclusion of hybrids in these tests is not an endorsement by the University of Maryland. Advertising statements about a company’s hybrids can be made as long as they are accurate statements about the data as published. Statements similar to “See the Maryland Corn Hybrid Tests Agronomy Facts No. 54” or “Endorsement or recommendation by the University of Maryland is not implied” must accompany any reproduced information.

For more information regarding variety trials and how to interpret the results, refer to University of Maryland Fact Sheet FS-1119.

October 2021 Grain Market Report

Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist
University of Maryland

Information from USDA WASDE report

Attached is the summary for the September 2021 WASDE.

Corn

2021/22 yield estimate was increased by 0.2 bushel per acre. The beginning supply estimate was adjusted up 49 million bushel. The net effect of these adjustments on estimated supply was an increase of 72 million bushel. On the demand side there were minor adjustments with the net effect of a decrease of 20 million bushel. The result of these supply and demand estimates was an increase in ending stocks of 92 million bushels and an increase in the stocks to use ratio from 9.5% to 10.1%. December futures peaked at $5.49 on September 30 but settled back at $5.22 on October 12.

Soybeans

2021/22 yield estimate was increased by 0.9 bushel per acre . The beginning supply estimate was adjusted up by 80 million bushel. Imports were adjusted down 10 million bushel. The net effect of these adjustments on estimated supply was an increase of 145 million bushel. Crushings were adjusted up 10 million bushels and residual was adjusted up 1 million bushel. The Net effect of all adjustments was an increase of 135 million bushels in ending stocks and increase in the stocks to use ratio from 4.2% to 7.3 %. November futures prices on June 10 closed at $14.59. November futures peaked at $13.08 on September 16 and  trended down to settle at $11.98 on October 12.

Wheat

There were small adjustments and demand and supply categories resulting in a net effect of a 35 million bushel decrease in ending stocks decreasing the ending stocks-to-use ratio from 29.8% to 28.5%. December futures peaked at $7.64 on October 4 then declined to settle at $7.34 on October 12.

Maryland Regional Crop Reports: October 2021

Crop reports are for conditions up to October 8, 2021.

Western Maryland

The weather has remained kind to us here in Washington County. We have had welcome rains that have been gentle in their nature. Soil moisture is at its optimum for fall planting. Early soybeans and corn harvest has begun, yields have yet to be reported. Most corn silage has been harvested and planting of winter annuals has begun. Additionally, wheat seeding will soon commence.  —Jeff Semler, Washington Co.

Central Maryland

As I write this, it is lightly raining here at the Montgomery County Extension Office. Corn grain harvest is in full swing. I have not seen any soybean fields come off yet. Corn yields have varied depending on location and summer rainfall, but have overall been close to or slightly above average.—Kelly Nichols

Northern Maryland

Conditions have been ideal for corn harvest. Corn harvest started around the second week of September and is now in full swing. Yields are variable but most fields are running average to above average. A few acres of early soybeans have been harvested; double crop soybeans continue to look very strong. We’ve had good soil conditions for cover crop, small grain, and pasture seeding.—Andy Kness, Harford Co.

Upper & Mid Shore

Corn and soybean harvest is moving along smoothly, with the exception of lines at the granaries. It takes time to deliver high yields to market. We are setting records in both bean and corn yields. Farmers are reporting yields that they have never seen before! Soil moisture is adequate throughout the region with the few dry and wet spots. Cover crops are off to a great start. Troublesome weeds like glyphosate-resistant common ragweed and palmer amaranth are really showing up as beans are drying and the weeds are still green. Remember those fields for next year.—Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.

Lower Shore

The harvest season is progressing with no major problems. Corn is approximately 60% harvested. Soybean is drying down and ready to start harvest within the next week if the weather cooperates. Wheat and barley planting will begin soon. However, the ground is harder than desired at the moment due to lack of rain. Cover crop planting is going well; we have had significant acreage aerially seeded and ground planting has begun.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.

Southern Maryland

Conditions have been favorable for good progress on corn harvest. Yields are very good to excellent in most areas. Full season soybeans are mature and drying down. Some farmers started harvesting early-planted full season beans last week. Double crop soybeans are also looking very good. Vegetable harvest is winding up. The pumpkin and cucurbit crop is coming off now, with a decent pumpkin harvest this year. We did receive a report of alfalfa with second infestation of fall armyworm, assuming the next generation is now active.—Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Co.

 

September 2021 Grain Market Report

Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist
University of Maryland

Information from USDA WASDE report

Attached is the summary for the September 2021 WASDE.

Corn

2021/22 harvest acres projection was increased by 600,000 acres and yield estimate was increased by 1.7 bushel per acre. The beginning supply estimate was adjusted up 70 million bushel. The net effect of these adjustments on estimated supply was an increase of 316 million bushel. On the demand side, feed & residual estimate was increased by 75 million bushel and export estimate was increased by 75 million bushel. The result of these supply and demand estimates was an increase in ending stocks of 166 million bushels and an increase in the stocks to use ratio from 8.5% to 9.5%. December futures have declined from a high of $5.94 per bushel in August to close at $5.18 today.

Soybeans

2021/22 harvest acres projection was decreased 300,000 acres and yield estimate was increased by 0.6 bushel per acre . The beginning supply estimate was adjusted up 15 million bushel. Imports were adjusted down 10 million bushel. The net effect of these adjustments on estimated supply was an increase of 41 million bushel. Crushings were adjusted down 25 million bushels and exports were adjusted up 35 million bushel. The Net effect of all adjustments was an increase of 30 million bushels in ending stocks and increase in the stocks to use ratio from 3.5% to 4.2 %.   November futures prices on June 10 closed at $14.59. November futures trended down from a high of $13.80 in August to close at $12.86 today.

Wheat

There were small adjustments in and demand categories resulting in a net effect of a 50 million bushel decrease in ending stocks decreasing the ending stocks-to-use ratio from 32.1% in August to 29.8%. December futures have followed corn and soybean prices down from a high of $7.87 per bushel in August to close at $6.89 today.

Maryland Regional Crop Reports: September 2021

Crop reports are for conditions up to September 2, 2021.

Western Maryland

Welcome rains have come to the area. Too late for some crops but late beans, hay, and fall crops will enjoy the drink. Corn silage harvest has been going on since early August with some of the crop drought-stressed in some areas of the county. Rain patterns all summer were scattered and erratic. At this writing, the remnants of Ida are replenishing soil moisture.—Jeff Semler, Washington Co.

Central Maryland

As I’m writing this, Ida is giving us what might be the first county-wide rainfall; most rainfall to date has been scattered across the region, leaving parts of the area drier than others. Our usual soybean insect pests are munching away in soybean fields; however, soybeans can withstand a fair amount of leaf defoliation before a spray threshold is reached. Scout fields for leaf defoliation and/or pod damage in order to determine if the threshold has been reached. Traps for fall armyworm and western bean cutworm near Poolesville have remained empty. Recent rainfall has greatly improved double crop beans and brought a lot of drought and heat stress corn back around just in time for grain fill. Folks were really starting to get going with corn silage harvest before the Tropical storm shut them down. I’ve heard from some Extension colleagues a little further south and they are experiencing the largest infestation of armyworms in years. I received a report of one field of Teff grass being severely defoliated by armyworms just this week. Although we aren’t capturing many in traps we should keep an eye out for this destructive pest.—Kelly Nichols, Montgomery Co. & Jarette Hurry, Frederick Co.

Northern Maryland

The past 2-3 weeks have been very hot and humid and has really driven accelerated maturity of corn and soybeans, especially in pockets of the region that did not receive as much rain over the summer and on lighter soils; I think it’s likely taken some yield off the top of the corn crop and some soybeans. Double crop soybeans have put on a lot of growth and are looking good; hopefully the September weather will favor good pod fill. Corn silage harvest started about two weeks ago. The heat stress has also brought out a lot of symptoms related to stem diseases in soybean, as well as fall armyworm in hay fields (and lawns). Corn for grain is nearly all dented and the earliest at black layer. With the recent heat, corn grain harvest should start in a couple weeks.—Andy Kness, Harford Co.

Upper & Mid Shore

Soil moisture is adequate in most areas and surplus in a few areas. Corn harvest will begin next week. Cover crop seeding is well underway and the early seeded cover crops are off to a great start. Most farmers are anxious to get combines moving as the crop looks good. Soybeans are tall and filling out well. There are areas of sudden death syndrome showing up in many fields as would be expected with recent weather patterns. Hay fields still look good, but we have not been blessed with good haymaking conditions.—Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.

Lower Shore

Corn is looking good and approaching black layer. Soybean looks great and pods are beginning to fill. We have had adequate rain in most places, even while storms have been somewhat sporadic. Herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth is apparent in many fields. Now is the time to walk the fields to pull mature Palmer plants. There have been no reports of major insect pest or disease outbreaks in grain crops. It’s looking like it will be a strong yield for grain yields.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.

Southern Maryland

The region has received widespread rains in the last three weeks. Corn is in grain fill stages with earliest field’s ready for harvest any day now. Yields are expected to be good to very good. Rains helped soybean condition as well. Double crop beans have really responded well with excellent growth. Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) is now evident, with patches showing up mainly in full season beans. We are also seeing Phytophthora crown and root rot show up in fields. Insect and mite pressure remains low. Palmer amaranth, common waterhemp and common ragweed escapes are clearly visible now with seed heads waving from above the plant canopy. Annual grass hay is being cut for the second time. Cool season grass is beginning to respond to the moisture with growth resuming.—Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Co.

Regional Crop Reports: August 2021

Reports are for crop conditions up until 8/5/2021.

Western Maryland

We had a great wheat harvest and many optimists planted double-crop beans. It has been very dry in most of the county. Depending on where in the county you are located is the difference between chopping corn now and admiring your crop. Hay will be in short supply so many will plant forage oats for fall forage. Full season beans are looking good most places. We will continue to pray for rain. —Jeff Semler, Washington Co.

Central Maryland

In general, Central Maryland has had a good combination of heat and rain, and the crops are looking great. Most of the region is close to or above the normal rainfall over the last 30 days. Fall armyworm and western bean cutworm traps near Poolesville have been empty this past month. Corn silage harvest will begin soon, especially if August turns up the heat.—Kelly Nichols, Montgomery Co.

Northern Maryland

We’ve been fortunate to have excellent pollination conditions over the past 3 weeks when the vast majority of the corn crop was pollinating. Temperatures were in the upper 80s and occasionally low 90s with frequent storms that brought timely moisture. The majority of the corn crop is looking above average. Full season soybeans are beginning to set pots and look good; some fields had very spotty emergence due to slug damage early; we will see what August brings in terms of rain to help make the bean crop. Double crops had good soil moisture to germinate and are off to a decent start. Insect and disease pest pressure in both corn and beans has been minimal so far. Small grain harvest wrapped up a couple of weeks ago with big wheat yields.—Andy Kness, Harford Co.

Upper Eastern Shore

Soil moisture levels are all over the board. Some areas have been receiving rains while others have not. None of the region is too wet. Therefore, corn and early bean yield predictions also vary, but not disastrous. Corn will be 100-250 bu/acre plus. Early beans will be 40-80 bu/acre plus. Later maturing beans still have a long ways to go. Corn leaf diseases have been expanding/moving up the plant in the last few weeks. Soybean diseases have been minimal, but foliage feeding insects are increasing. Luckily most of the beans have plenty of foliage and can withstand some feeding. Trouble weeds, especially the glyphosate resistant weeds are starting to outgrow beans and showing their ugly heads(growing points). As with past months, there has been good quality hay harvested.—Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.

Lower Eastern Shore

Weather has been favorable and grain crops are looking good. Corn is around R3 reproductive stage. Full-season soybean is flowering. Deer are regularly observed grazing in soybean fields. Corn Earworm numbers are currently low. Herbicide-resistant weeds such as ragweed, marestail and Palmer amaranth are present and posing management challenges.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.

Southern Maryland

The story this month is squarely focused on moisture. Temperatures across the region are reaching into the 90’s with sporadic isolated storms hitting here and there. Crops are now showing moisture stress. The corn crop is past pollination and approaching dough stage on earliest plantings. We could really use another rain to help fill corn out, but it’s looking to be at least an average crop. Soybeans are setting pods, with full season beans at R3-R5. We have not seen many pest outbreaks in beans yet. We are on the lookout for spider mites with the hot dry conditions. Cool season grasses are going dormant in the hot dry weather.—Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Co.

Corn Earworm Trap Captures Up, and New Web Page for Updates

Alan Leslie, Agriculture Agent | aleslie@umd.edu
University of Maryland Extension, Charles County

Figure 1. Corn earworm moths in a pheromone trap at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center in Beltsville.

A few hot spots where corn earworm (also known as tomato fruitworm, soybean podworm, and sorghum headworm) activity is starting to rise have been identified in central Maryland. The relatively mild 2020-2021 winter allowed adult moths to overwinter in Maryland, and some parts of the state experienced a higher than normal first flight in early June. Now that we are heading towards the end of summer, the next generation of moths are emerging as adults and have begun flight. Some areas continue to capture few moths and are experiencing low pressure, while others have been experiencing moderate pressure that has increased to heavy pressure (Fig. 1). See Figure 2 for pressure at select sites in Maryland. Monitoring pressure using on-farm traps provides the most accurate information for making management decisions. We recommend using two pheromone traps and replacing the lures frequently, especially during periods of hot weather. For weekly updates on pheromone trap captures across the state and information on how to scout for and manage corn earworm in vegetable and grain crops, visit the new webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/corn-earworm-pheromone-trapping.

Figure 2. Weekly captures of corn earworm moths using pheromone traps at select sites across the state. Dashed line represents the cutoff for what is considered heavy moth pressure.

August IPM Insect Scouting Tips

Emily Zobel, Senior Agriculture Agent Associate | ezobel@umd.edu
University of Maryland Extension, Dorchester County

Soybean: Continue to scout for stink bugs, dectes stem borer, and defoliators (bean leaf beetle, Japanese beetle, grasshoppers, and caterpillars). Control may be needed if there is 15% defoliation from bloom through pod fill. Chemical control is not recommended for dectes stem borer since it would require multiple applications to reduce larval infestations, which is not economical. If a high number of adults are found, harvesting that field as soon as it matures will reduce losses associated with lodged plants.

With the upcoming hot weather there is an increased chance of spider mite outbreak in vegetable and soybean fields (Fig 1). Scout by using a hand lens to examine mid to upper canopy leaflets on two plants in twenty locations along the edges of the field. Consider treating if 10 % of plants have heavy stippling feeding damage on ⅓ of their mid and lower leaves.

The next flight of corn earworm (CEW) will be taking place soon. Bean fields with open canopies (wide rows), are drought-stressed, or have recently had an insecticide applied are at higher risk for CEW. CEW larvae can feed on flowers without impacting yields. NC State has a good economic threshold calculator to assist with management decisions: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CEW-calculator-v0.006.html.

Field Corn: Check for stink bugs around the edges. The threshold is 1 stink bug per 2 plants from pollen shed to blister stage. Treatment is not recommended past the blister stage.

Sorghum: Sugarcane aphids typically show up in fields late July and August. Check underside of leaves for insects. Honeydew will turn leaves shiny and is an easy to see indicator that aphids are present. Sugarcane aphids are light yellow with black cornicles, antennae, and feet. Thresholds depend on plant growth stage; at boot to milk, thresholds are 50 aphids per leaf on 25 – 30% of plants. There is documented resistance to resistance to pyrethroids.