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Drought: Crops

All Drought: Crops Content

A soybean plant with wilting leaves due to stem canker surrounded by healthy soybean plants.

Stem Canker Developing in Some Soybean Fields

A few soybean fields are showing some wilting plants due to stem canker. The field entries and head rows are the most-impacted parts of these fields. The current dry conditions are stressing the plants and causing early development of the disease.

Three soybean fields with yellowing issues due to potassium deficiency, iron deficiency chlorosis and soybean cyst nematode.

What Is Causing Soybeans to Yellow at This Time?

Recently scouted soybean fields were observed with yellowing plants, and one field was found to have plants dying prematurely. Learn some of the factors that may cause soybean plants to yellow at this time in the growing season.

A soybean field showing healthy soybean plants, but roots are infested with SCN. The top right corner has an in-set picture that shows a soybean root with white pear-shaped SCN female cysts.

Drought Conditions May Increase Soybean Cyst Nematode Population in Soil

Moisture stress coupled with above-normal temperatures have been linked with increased soybean cyst nematode populations in the soil. In order to keep populations in the soil below the yield-reducing levels, there are a few management practices which can be used.

A soybean field showing plants in a circular pattern killed charcoal rot.

Scout for Charcoal Rot in Early Senescing Parts of the Field

The drought conditions in the past few weeks have led to some soybean fields senescing early. However, some of the early senescing may be due charcoal rot.

A soybean field with plants yellowing and dropping leaves in larger portion of the field while the rest of the field has green soybean plants.

Drought Stress or Stem Canker Killing Soybean Plants?

Several soybean fields scouted in a number of Eastern counties have plants dying or dropping leaves prematurely. While the majority of these fields have drought stress causing early senescence, a few fields have also stem canker developing

silage truck dispensing feed to dairy cattle at feed bunk

Mycotoxin Considerations for Weather-Damaged Feedstuffs

Whether your crops have been hit with drought or hail the odds are that we are going to see an increase potential for feed contaminants such nitrates or molds which cause mycotoxins.

A wheat field with patchy brown areas.

Brown Wheat Mite Affecting South Dakota Wheat

Recently, there have been reports of brown wheat mites throughout central and western South Dakota. The brown wheat mite is generally more of an issue in the drier parts of the state, or in areas experiencing drought. The feeding injury caused by these mites leaves white or brown spots that are referred to as stippling.

A green combine that has caught fire in the field.

Avoiding Field Fires During Fall Harvest

With dry and drought conditions in the late summer and fall, crops dry down rapidly and harvest starts early. The climate outlook may be favorable for an uninterrupted run at harvest. However, the risk of fires during harvest is always a concern for farmers.

Brown and white cow grazing on standing cornstalks

Considerations for Grazing Standing Corn

Grazing standing corn is a viable option to supply nutrients to livestock. However, mitigating risk is critical to ensure healthy animals and optimize crops.

Color-coded map of the United States showing Precipitation outlook for October to December 2021. Odds are leaning towards drier than average conditions for most of South Dakota in the coming three months.

2021 Fall and Early Winter Climate Outlook

The latest monthly and seasonal climate outlooks were released Sept. 16, 2021 by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center. Forecasters are pointing towards a warmer than average October, with odds leaning towards drier conditions for the last few months of the year.