Success of newly established alfalfa stands this spring has been variable. Harvesting of the mulch hay, used for mushroom compost, is almost complete. The early corn is 3-4 feet tall and shading over nicely. Some corn is showing severe symptoms of drought stress. Soybeans have reached 6 inches.
Some stands are thin due to the dry conditions during planting.
Spider mites were present in some soybean fields this past week. 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.