Barley, oat and mixed grain harvest is also underway. To date, yield reports on early planted fields are average to above average, while later planted fields, and fields affected by barley yellow dwarf have been yielding below average. There is significant interest in the value of straw, and with shorter supplies, strong prices are anticipated. Preharvest spraying has been underway. Armyworm populations have reached maturity, and feeding has halted in most fields.
Drought stress is very obvious in many fields.
Corn is spiking, and leaves rolling as the plant attempts to conserve moisture. The crop has tasselled and is silking. For some fields drought stress is just one more crop stress for this year. Delayed planting, and emergence, weed pressure and armyworm feeding have also affected some fields. Armyworm feeding has come to a halt in most fields as armyworms pupate.