Heavy rainfall in the northwest and northeast corners of the state paused wheat harvest and 2nd cutting hay, but the southern half of Ohio remains very dry as we head into the week. Hot issues this week include weed escapes and weather stress. Keep reading for region-specific details.
Central & West Central – Rylee Kay Puthoff of OSU Extension Shelby County shared that wheat harvest is 90% complete, with growers continuing to bale straw. Soybean is in fair condition overall and ranges from V4 to R1 (flowering), with reports of both giant ragweed and waterhemp escapes. Corn is in good condition with early planted fields beginning to tassel. The region received anywhere from 0.5 – 2 inches of rainfall.
Southwest – Ted Wiseman of OSU Extension Perry County reported that wheat harvest and first cutting hay are finished, with second cutting for alfalfa underway in parts of southwest Ohio. The area remains very dry with low soil moisture levels impacting pasture fields. Corn and soybean are both in fair condition with a wide range of growth and development.
Southeast – Trevor Corboy of OSU Extension Brown County reported that southeast Ohio remains dry after receiving less than 0.5 inches of rain this week. Soybean is in poor condition with replanting still occurring in some areas. Corn is in fair condition and wheat harvest is about 95 percent complete.
Northeast – Extension Educator Lee Beers reported that wheat harvest is 30% complete in northeast Ohio, and despite isolated heavy rainfall across the area (≥7 inches in portions of Ashtabula County), soil moisture levels are approaching dry. Both soybean and corn are in good condition and approaching early reproductive stages in early planted fields. Weed escapes noted this week include redroot pigweed and horse nettle.
Northwest – Al Gahler of OSU Extension Sandusky County shared that wheat harvest is 40% complete in Northwest Ohio as most of the region received excessive rainfall this past week. Soybean is in fair condition and anywhere between VE in replanted fields and R1 in April planted fields. Yellowing was observed some soybean fields, likely due to weather stress and other factors. Corn is in fair condition and insect numbers remain relatively low.