Preliminary Route Report with Brent Judisch, western Tour consultant

What counties (with state and district) have you sampled from?

Nebraska: Districts 6 & 9— Hamilton, York, Filmore, Saline and Gage Counties

Corn yield range: 64 to 218 bu. per acre

Corn yield average: 186.0 bu. per acre

Soybean pod count range in 3’x3’ square: 203 to 1,491

Soybean pod count average in 3’x3’ square: 1,123

Please share a few (one to three) comments from your route:

We drove through a small area this morning that is the driest spot in the state and another area nearly 10 miles long and 5 miles wide which will be zeroed out due to hail damage. We were in irrigated fields all morning, which were mostly good, but we’re now heading to unirrigated areas that look a bit healthier. Cutworms have been notable in several irrigated corn fields, though insect pressure has been in low in soybeans. Nebraska corn crop is consistent outside of some small areas. There is potential for a record crop but given 40% of the state is dryland, crops will need rains to finish.

Preliminary Route Report with Brian Grete, eastern Tour leader

What counties (with state and district) have you sampled from?

Indiana: Districts 4 & 5— Boone, Hendricks, Putnam, Parke and Vermillion Counties

Corn yield range: 148.6 to 227.9 bu. per acre

Corn yield average: 201 bu. per acre

Soybean pod count range in 3’x3’ square: 291.3 to 2,007.2

Soybean pod count average in 3’x3’ square: 1,387.0

Please share a few (one to three) comments from your route:

I think it got generally drier as we approached the Illinois border. However, ear populations were high, with generally good ear length. We did see one field with Tar Spot that will keep it from yielding what we measured. Overall, crops look good, just need to get to the finish line.

Preliminary Route Report with Chip Flory, western Tour leader

What counties (with state and district) have you sampled from?

Nebraska: Districts 6 & 9— Clay, Saline, Gage, Lancaster and Otoe Counties

Corn yield range: 107 to 170.4 bu. per acre

Corn yield average: 147.0 bu. per acre

Soybean pod count range in 3’x3’ square: 648 to 1,130

Soybean pod count average in 3’x3’ square: 930

Please share a few comments from your route:

We’ve seen drought stress and disease, including Southern Rust, and a robust population of Western Bean Cutworms. I’m seeing stuff that’s really disappointing, but I’m certain there will be plenty of good crops to help offset the problems in this localized area. In soybeans, pod fill is behind, though weed pressure is light. We did come across a field in Gage County that had white mold with dead plants.

Preliminary Route Report with Mark Bernard, eastern Tour consultant

What counties (with state and district) have you sampled from?

Indiana: Districts 1, 2 & 5— Tipton, Howard, Miami, Cass, White, Jasper and Benton Counties

Corn yield range: 135 to 250 bu. per acre

Corn yield average: 182.0 bu. per acre

Soybean pod count range in 3’x3’ square: 570 to 2,386

Soybean pod count average in 3’x3’ square: 1,333

Please share a few comments from your route:

We’ve been in a few fields in Indiana with Gray Leaf Spot and Tar Spot and another field with some wind damage. Another field we sampled was already half milk line, so headed down the homestretch of maturity due to early planting. We did find one field that had a pretty severe soybean aphid infestation and also saw some Japanese Beetles as well as Bean Leaf Beetles. Soybeans have had very little disease but did find small amounts of SDS here and there. Weed pressure has been minimal throughout this particular area.