Corn is close to the canopy stage and soybeans are approaching flowering in Dallas County. 

Dallas County Extension Field Agronomist Meaghan Anderson says that with the extra rain Dallas County has received, crops are ahead of schedule. Anderson explains that corn emergence is nearly 100-percent with the condition of the majority of corn rated as good to excellent. Anderson also adds that the soybean emergence is right around 99-percent, but the condition has deteriorated a little bit due to nutrient issues. 

“The condition of the soybeans, I would say, is maybe not quite as good as the corn, only because I know in Dallas County we are starting to see quite a bit of iron deficiency fluorosis show up in some of our heavier soils, higher PH areas starting to see that yellowing show up. So people may be noticing that they drive by a field that has a large yellow patch and you may actually see stripes through that yellow patch where equipment has gone through and those soybean plants are greener.”

Anderson notes that they have been getting scattered reports of black cutworm and true armyworm pests found in fields. 

“Those are typically going to be found in high residue areas. Like something that had a tall cover crop on it or something this spring that was terminated late.”

She also reminds folks to be aware of other pests like soybean gall midge and corn rootworm during this time period.  According to the latest Crop Progress and Condition Report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture, farmers had 5.8 suitable fieldwork days last week.