If you count back to the first of the year, we are only about 2 inches below normal, but if you look back to last September, we are 6 to 8 inches behind. Most cornfields are planted and many of those have emerged. Growth has been very slow, and this has caused continued concern with flea beetle injury in some fields. Annual white grubs have also been found in several fields. A few soybean fields went in early, but widespread soybean planting is now under way.
Many wheat fields are in marginal condition due to thin stands and possible viral problems.
There are reports of fungicide applications but no reports of actual fungal wheat problems. Black cutworm moth captures were sporadic with no intense captures reported. Planting progress has moved ahead rapidly the past few days, with many finishing corn and moving to soybeans. Early-planted corn has emerged, and corn planted 2 weeks ago is just spiking through. Some flea beetle treatments have been applied to approximately 2-leaf corn.