Boots In The Field Report

Ken discusses things he is seeing so far in yields from the 2026 harvest and warns growers to make sure they are thinking through the whole process when making changes for the 2027 growing season. This and more in this week’s #BIFR.

Harvest is approaching the halfway mark, and the results are telling a story of a challenging growing season across north-central Illinois.

In this week's *Boots in the Field Report*, Ken Ferrie discusses corn yields running 20–40 bushels behind last year, soybean yield variability, and how drainage and heavy summer rains are showing up. He also explains why scalded cornfield edges are appearing following July's record heat and how to distinguish this damage from herbicide drift.

As plot harvest progresses, Ken shares early findings from soybean seed treatment trials, fungicide and fertility responses, and the growing importance of nitrogen timing and rates in corn yields. He also discusses the relationship between corn populations, standability, and yield, along with the challenges of harvesting down corn.

Yield reports for corn are slow to come in and most reports are under last year’s numbers. Wind, water, and disease damage have left field averages lower than expected and leading to low test weight. This and more in this week's #BIFR.

Ken talks scouting for harvest order, making accurate yield estimates, and getting ready for a long harvest in this week’s Boots In The Field Report.

In this week’s Boots In The Field Report, Ken Ferrie walks through evaluations to start doing now after the recent crazy weather to be more prepared for harvest this fall.

Ken discusses heavy aphid pressure and the need to start making realistic yield estimates to make sure no one is surprised come harvest time. This and more in this week’s Boots In The Field Report.

Scout now to make sure all areas are getting pollinated and to be able to update your yield expectations to avoid surprises this fall.

In this week’s Boots In The Field Report, Ken Ferrie talks about ponding and nutrient deficiencies as well as insect, disease, and weed scouting reports. He advises what to be on the lookout for during pollination and warns that how fields looked during the water stress will be how they pollinate. Ken shares that he expects the round robin crop report at both the CTC Field Day and Farm Journal Corn and Soybean College to be very interesting this year.

Ken Ferrie gives an overview of the aftermath of all this rain and hail including: the need to remain vigilant in fields zeroed out for hail damage for weed management, yellowing in, Fusarium wilt, and white mold in beans, deficiencies showing in corn – oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen, and options for rescue applications of nitrogen.

 This week’s episode of Boots In The Field Report, Ken discusses the recent weather impacts across the region, including crops standing in water, nitrogen concerns after heavy rains, the importance of staying ahead on weed control, scouting for rootworm pressure, and preparing for early tar spot risk.