As I am writing, a scattering of thunderstorms is passing through the area. Unfortunately, these storms are widely distributed and any amounts of rainfall are very limited and will not provide adequate soil moisture to break the present mini-drought condition. Soil moisture levels across the area are limited, and much of the corn crop is showing stress by mid morning, most days, but recovering during the night. Early planted soybeans are beginning to flower, but growth is limited. Later planted bean stands are reduced and development is severely limited due to moisture stress conditions.
Groundhogs continue to be a major problem in many soybean fields.
Third cutting of alfalfa is heavily infested with potato leafhoppers. Where the large population levels came from so rapidly is a surprise. In many fields that had very low levels one week, the next week levels were as high as 2.5 PLH's per sweep. Application of control materials are being applied to give extra protection to drought stressed alfalfa stands. Wheat harvest began on July 7.