The Rain Came Just In Time For The Corn
Trent Brandenburg’s corn crop was badly hurting from the drought in May and June. The tassels were emerging on the shortest corn stalks in recent memory. The rain came with the huge derecho on July 8, 2023, and more reasonable showers since. Trent says, “The cornstalks grew two feet after it rained.” He says his corn pollination is complete; he thinks the rain came in time.
Trent estimates that his soybean crop was hurt during the drought, but they seem to have a normal pod count, “but the plants are short.” Trent would like to see the soybean plants taller for his visual comfort, but he knows that the soybeans will continue making pods for a couple of months yet.
More from The Field Report
From Drought To Ponding And Replanting
In barely months, Trent's challenges have gone from extreme drought to repeated ponding and replanting. Trent has replanted some corn and soybeans twice, only to have the ponding return yet again. "I don't think I will try to replant corn [...]
Corn And Soybean Planting Done, Some Germinated, More To Come
Trent Brandenburg is happy to have completed his corn and soybean planting by the 15th of May. "It's slow," he said, commenting on the germination delay by the recent cool temperatures. Moderately heavy rains the last few days have caused [...]
Worked Some Fields, With A Sunny Day Could Begin Planting
Trent Brandenburg has "worked a couple of fields, they're barely ready" after several days of rain last week. "If we get a sunny day tomorrow I could plant some," Trent continued. The long-standing extreme drought in central Illinois has been [...]