The Crops to Date

The rain this season has been excellent for much of the Pampas Region and the crops resemble the good growing conditions. Excessive rains and flooding are problems in some areas as well. I've heard several farmers back say that it's better to have some areas that drowned-out than none at all (when some areas are flooded, then the rest got plenty of water). Corn near 150 or more bushels per acre and full season soybeans near 60 bushels per acre seems reasonable for many fields.

Insect pressure on soybeans from loopers (inchworms) have been a problem and there is some frogeye leaf spot (Cercospora sojina) in the soybeans. Both have been controlled with pesticides. The corn has very little foliar diseases and not much insect pressure. The biggest challenge has been flooded areas.