Most of the corn and soybean acreage in Ohio has reached the silking or blooming stage (Figure 1). Crop progress and development has been variable this 2023 crop season so far, in part due to variable weather including dry periods, fluctuating temperatures, and hazy skies.
An analysis of USDA-NASS crop progress report is presented here, and we can see where those differences are as we compare 2023 with 2022 and the 5-year averages for Ohio. A snapshot of key differences in planting, emergence, silking, flowering, and early grain fill is outlined below.
The 2023 crop season ahead of 2022 and the 5-year average (Figures 2 and 3)
On June 4th, 2023, USDA-NASS reported:
- Corn planting reached 95%, which was 12 points ahead of last year and 16 points ahead of the 5-yr average for that time of the year.
- Soybean planting reached 94%, 25 points ahead of last year and 27 points ahead of the 5-yr average.
- Corn emergence reached 80%, 17 points ahead of 2022 and 18 points ahead of the 5-year average.
- Soybean emergence reached 74%, 30 points ahead of 2022 and 26 points ahead of the 5-year average.
The 2023 crop season behind the 2022 and the 5-year average (Figures 2 and 3)
On July 30th, USDA-NASS reported:
- Corn silking reached 64%, 10 points behind last year and 8 points behind the 5-yr average.
- Corn dough reached 3%, 18 points behind 2022 and 15 points behind the 5-yr average.
- Soybean blooming reached 72%, 8 points behind last year and 3 points behind the 5-yr average.
- Soybean pods setting reached 28%, 15 points behind last year and 13 points behind the 5-yr average.
| Week Ending | Week | Report # |
|
2-Apr |
WEEK #13 |
1 |
|
9-Apr |
WEEK #14 |
2 |
|
16-Apr |
WEEK #15 |
3 |
|
23-Apr |
WEEK #16 |
4 |
|
30-Apr |
WEEK #17 |
5 |
|
7-May |
WEEK #18 |
6 |
|
14-May |
WEEK #19 |
7 |
|
21-May |
WEEK #20 |
8 |
|
28-May |
WEEK #21 |
9 |
|
4-Jun |
WEEK #22 |
10 |
|
11-Jun |
WEEK #23 |
11 |
|
18-Jun |
WEEK #24 |
12 |
|
25-Jun |
WEEK #25 |
13 |
|
2-Jul |
WEEK #26 |
14 |
|
9-Jul |
WEEK #27 |
15 |
|
16-Jul |
WEEK #28 |
16 |
|
23-Jul |
WEEK #29 |
17 |
|
30-Jul |
WEEK #30 |
18 |
Main takeaways
From June 5th, when crop conditions were ahead by significant average points relative to 2022 and the 5-year average, anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks later, crop progress felt behind schedule compared to the 2022 and 5-year average, as presented in Figures 2 and 3.
Dry conditions in May and June would have contributed to a faster planting start this year, and similarly, the same dry effect would have contributed to delay crop progress in 2023 compared to 2022 and previous years. Reports show that some regions in Ohio have accumulated fewer GDDs this year (compared to previous years). Under the current conditions, it is valid to consider how that could affect crop responses and time to maturity in both crops.
Adequate water, temperatures, and solar radiation from this time forward will be critical to achieving adequate yields. Maintaining a good handle on other yield-limiting factors such as nutrients, weeds, pests, and disease is also necessary to achieve that goal.