Drier conditions this past week allowed growers to finish first cutting and start second cutting hay as well as continue field applications. With more hot, dry weather in store for this week, wheat will continue to mature quickly, and Ohio State University Extension professionals anticipate harvest to start this week. Keep reading for more region-specific updates from OSU Extension Educators and Specialists.
Southeast – Ted Wiseman of OSU Extension Perry County reported on behalf of the southeast region that first cutting hay will be completed by the end of this week. Yields thus far have been average to above average. Second cutting hay has begun, and wheat harvest will likely begin this week. Both corn and soybean are in good condition with low insect pressure so far. Pockets of southeast Ohio received scattered rain this past week, and most areas still have adequate soil moisture.
Northwest – Kyle Verhoff, OSU Extension Defiance County, reported that corn is in fair condition and nitrogen sidedress applications are still being made. Soybean is in good condition and most fields are between VC and V3 growth stages. The biggest weed of concern so far is giant ragweed. With a few exceptions, northwest Ohio remains dry, and wheat harvest will likely begin this week.
Central & West Central – Ryan McMichael of OSU Extension Mercer County reported that both corn and soybean are in good condition, and the main field activities this past week were replanting, nitrogen side dressing of corn, post emergent herbicide applications, and 1st and 2nd cutting hay. Volunteer corn is an issue in soybean fields, along with severe reports of slug damage in Knox County. Fusarium head blight or head scab has also been seen in wheat fields that did not have a fungicide applied earlier this season.
Check back next week for continued updates from across the state. Here are some helpful Extension resources as you scout and make management decisions in the week ahead: