C.O.R.N. Newsletter: 2025-16
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Can We Shake This Cool, Wet Pattern?
June 1 is the meteorological start of summer, and I think we are all hoping for much warmer conditions than we have experienced lately. Temperatures in Ohio during May ran 2-4°F below average. This led to accumulated growing degree days since May 1 running 60-90 GDDs below normal. The other big weather story has been the wet conditions, especially for southern and eastern Ohio. Another widespread 1-2 inches this past week has those areas running much above normal for the past month (Figure 1). Counties in the far west have been below normal in quantity of rainfall over the last 30 days, but this masks the very few stretches of dry weather that we have seen. Most locations had a least a trace of rainfall on 18-21 days of May, with an average suitable fieldwork total of 2 days per week during the month.
Finally, this past week has featured several days with occluded sunshine due to elevated wildfire smoke across our skies. While not close to the quantity that we experienced in 2023, concerns are being heard. It is important to know that May and June solar radiation is not strongly correlated with crop yields. As described in 2023, wildfire smoke can impact crop growth on a limited basis, but this depends on other environmental conditions and whether smoke is present at the surface or not. For a more detailed analysis of 2023, check out this article from Lindsey et al. 2024. For the latest up-to-date conditions, seasonal outlooks, and monthly climate summaries, please visit the State Climate Office of Ohio.
Weather Forecast
High pressure will remain in control early this week, with much warmer conditions expected across the state. Filtered sunshine due to the continued presence of wildfire smoke is expected, but temperatures will jump up in the low to mid 80s on Tuesday and mid to upper 80s on Wednesday. An approaching front will likely lead to a few showers and storms Wednesday night. Periods of showers and storms are likely on Thursday and Friday. Temperatures will remain mild with highs in the 70s and 80s and overnight lows in the 60s. Lingering showers are likely over the weekend as well. Overall, the National Weather Service is currently forecasting 1-2 inches of rain for much of the state over the next seven days, with locally heavier totals, especially in the west (Figure 2).
The 8-14 day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for the period of June 10-16 and the 16-Day Rainfall Outlook from NOAA/NWS/Ohio River Forecast Center show probabilities leaning toward above normal temperatures and precipitation (Figure 3). Climate averages include a high-temperature range of 77-81°F, a low-temperature range of 57-61°F, and weekly total precipitation of 0.90-1.15 inches.
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Lep Monitoring Network – Black Cutworm and True Armyworm # 6
We are in our sixth week of monitoring for black cutworm (BCW) and true armyworm (AMW) across Ohio. Despite our cold, rainy weather last week, both BCW and AMW numbers remained high in some counties. This is our final week of monitoring BCW and AMW, and at the end of this week, we will switch our traps over to corn earworm (CEW) and Western bean cutworm (WBC) for early June. Read below for more specific county information.
Black cutworm
Black cutworm numbers have mostly reduced statewide, with only Muskingum and Morgan counties reporting high trap numbers. Over the past week, our team has monitored 47 traps in 18 counties. Our overall statewide average was down this past week to 4.3 (from 7.5 last week). We recommend monitoring fields until plants reach the V6 growth stage, especially in counties that have had averages of 7 moths or more per week. This week, those counties are Muskingum and Morgan (Figure 1).
For more information on how to scout BCW, please visit: https://aginsects.osu.edu/sites/aginsects/files/imce/ENT_35_14 BCW.pdf
Black Cutworm Moth Map
Week 6
May 26th – June 1st, 2025
True Armyworm
We also monitored 47 traps in 18 counties for AMW moths (Figure 2). We are still seeing AMW, but in fewer counties across Ohio compared to BCW. However, our overall statewide average did increase this week to 4.3 moths (from last week’s average of 3.0). Similar to last week, only 3 counties reported an average of 7 or more moths: Muskingum, Van Wert, and Wood (different counties than last week).
True Armyworm Moth Map
Week 6
May 26th – June 1st, 2025
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Battle for the Belt: Season 3, Episode 10: Adjustments for Late-Planted Soybean
Season 3, Episode 10 of Battle for the Belt is now available:
In Episode 10, we are with Dr. Laura Lindsey, the Ohio State Extension Soybean Specialist, discussing recommendations for late-planted soybeans.
Planting season has been difficult across Ohio due to frequent rainfall, leading to delayed planting for both corn and soybean. As of May 25th, 52% of the state’s soybeans were planted; many producers throughout the state are now put into the position of planting outside the optimal timeframe.
When soybean planting is delayed, there are a few agronomic practices that should be changed to help mitigate yield losses. Planting date is the management factor that most strongly influences yield, but that cannot always be controlled. However, there are management factors that a producer can adjust to optimize yield in a late planting situation.
The management practices that can be altered with delayed plantings are:
- Row width
- Seeding rate
- Relative maturity
The row width for soybeans planted in June should be no more than 15 inches, if possible. (There may be equipment limitations.) Figure 1 demonstrates that with May planting dates, 7.5- and 15-inch rows have statistically similar yields, but 30-inch rows have significantly lower yields. As soybeans are planted later, narrow row width becomes more important.
If you are planting soybeans in the first half of June, appropriate seeding rates would be between 150,000 and 175,000 seeds per acre. With a goal of a final stand between 130,000 and 150,000 plants per acre. In the last half of June seeding rates should be adjusted even higher to between 200,000 to 250,000 seeds per acre. As planting is delayed seeding rates should be increased to compensate, at least partially, for the shorter season.
Lastly, relative maturity should be adjusted with late plantings. The maturity group that should be chosen in a late planting situation is the longest relative maturity possible that will not be killed by frost in the fall. Choosing a later maturing variety allows the plant to maximize biomass accumulation, increasing the number of nodes where pods can form, before vegetative growth slows down after reproduction begins. Consult Table 1 to choose the most productive maturity group for your region and planting date window.
Field Crop Progress Updates
Last week, two locations were able to add another planting date! At the beginning of the week, the Western location was able to plant before more rain came in, while Northwest Ohio did not receive rain and could plant later in the week (Table 2). Soil conditions were favorable for planting.
Table 2. Planting date, soil, and air temperature conditions for the fourth day of planting at the Northwest Agricultural Research Station in Wood County, and the third day of planting at the Western Agricultural Research Station in Clark County. The soil and air temperature data were retrieved from https://weather.cfaes.osu.edu/; reported as average temperatures. Location
2-inch soil temperature
Air Temp
Date
Northwest Agricultural Research Station, Wood County
61°F
61°F
5/29
Western Agricultural Research Station, Clark County
62°F
58°F
5/27
The Western location has been progressing quickly over the last two weeks. This location has accumulated the most growing degree days since planting and has now surpassed our Northwest and Wooster locations in heat units (Table 3). The first planting date of corn is at V5 (4/18), and the second planting at V1 (5/12). Sidedress applications to planting date one will be applied soon, as this is the time when plant nitrogen uptake ramps up (V6 stage). The first planting date (4/18) of soybean is at V2, with the second (5/12) at VC.
At the Wooster location, the first planting date (3/27) is at V4 and has had nitrogen applied to the first planting date. Planting dates two (4/18) and three (5/12) were at V3 and V1. For soybean, the growth stages for the first, second, and third planting dates are as follows: V2, V1, VE.
The Northwest location is the furthest behind in the growth stage, while this location has a little more GGDs than the Wooster location, the fields at Northwest are no-till, which takes more time to warm up. Therefore, growth at this location is stagnant with marginal change from last week. Planting date one for corn (3/27) is at V4, with planting date two (4/16) and three (5/12) at V3 and V1. The soybeans are still overall at V1 for the first two planting dates and VE for planting date three (Figure 2).
Table 3. Precipitation, soil temperature, average air temperature, cumulative growing degree days (GDDs), and stage at the Western Agricultural Research Station, the Northwest Agricultural Research Station, and Wooster Campus. Weather data retrieved from: https://weather.cfaes.osu.edu/. Location
Precipitation
(Inches)
(May 27 - June 1)
2-inch soil temperature
(May 27 - June 1)Air Temperature
(May 27 - June 1)
Planting dates
GDDs
(Cumulative)
Corn
Growth
StageSoybean Growth
StageWestern,
Clark County
0.54
Min: 56°F
Max: 72°F
Mean: 63°F
Min: 42°F
Max: 79°F
Mean: 60°F
April 18
May 12
537
253
V5
V1
V2
VC
Wooster,
Wayne County
0.21
Min: 57°F
Max: 65°F
Mean: 61°F
Min: 39°F
Max: 73°F
Mean: 56°F
March 27
April 18
May 12
429
369
174
V4
V3
V1
V2
V1
VE
Northwest,
Wood County0
Min: 56°F
Max: 68°F
Mean: 60°F
Min: 51°F
Max: 77°F
Mean: 61°F
March 27
Apr. 16/17
May 12
477
429
210
V4
V3
V1
V1
V1
VE
If you would like to learn more, check out our research updates through C.O.R.N. article updates and YouTube Videos this growing season! You can find the full video playlist of Battle for the Belt on the Ohio State Agronomy YouTube channel.
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The North American Manure Expo comes to Wauseon, Ohio
The North American Manure Expo is coming to Ohio this summer on July 30th and 31st at the Fulton County Fairgrounds. Starting in 2001, this event was created to showcase research, innovation, and solutions found within manure management. The event brings manure haulers, applicators, brokers, nutrient management specialists, researchers, producers, manufacturers, custom operators, and extension personnel together for two days of learning, networking, and evaluation of new technology, research, equipment, and opportunities. Over the two days, we have an industry trade show, live demonstrations, and educational sessions.
The first morning of the Expo is dedicated to tours that showcase innovative manure solutions. Attendees can purchase tickets online for one of the four tours:
- Tour #1: Andre Farms & Stuckey Farms – visit one of Ohio’s largest Class II EPA composting facilities, followed by a beef and grain operation that will showcase how they have gotten more out of compost through a variety of projects.
- Tour #2: Bridgewater Dairy – see how this farm is leading the way in manure management and renewable energy. Tour guests will see their new methane digester, manure irrigation system, and a manure pipeline, followed by hearing about their long-term approach to sustainability.
- Tour #3: Precision manure irrigation – See the Rain360 irrigation system in action. Farmers and experts will cover the system's real-world performance, economic benefits, and environmental advantages.
- Tour #4: Seiler Farms – This tour will showcase innovative water management practices, including a two-stage ditch, a proven method for improving drainage, reducing nutrient runoff, and enhancing water quality. See how they protect water resources while maintaining crop production.
Day one also includes manure pond agitation demonstrations with boats and sticks at a nearby dairy farm, manure separation demos, rapid manure transfer from tankers to frac tanks demonstrations, confined space safety training, and the always popular pressurized hose release safety demonstration.
Day two of the Expo kicks off with 16 educational sessions in the morning. These are followed by both solid and liquid manure tanker and drag hose application demonstrations and a manure spill containment and stream water restoration demonstration.
Exhibitors will have booths in the trade show both days featuring new and manure innovative technology so you can visit and learn from these equipment makers. Puck will once again have their always-well-attended pump school.
Attendees can register online to join a tour or access the expo grounds for both days. For the full schedule, information on the educational sessions, registration information, and to purchase tour tickets, visit ManureExpo.com.
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Statewide Slug Monitoring Project – Update # 3
This is our second year of our multi-state project to monitor slugs funded by the United Soybean Board. The goal of this research is to have a better understanding of slugs in soybean in states across our region. This year, we have 23 counties participating in shingle monitoring for slugs.
Our third report covers monitoring from May 26th to June 1st. During this time, we had 14 counties monitoring a total of 113 shingle traps. Because of the rain and cold temperatures, many fields have not been planted, and our slug numbers are low compared to last year. Our highest slug average over the past week was 9, which was an outlier from the statewide average of 1.1 slugs per trap. We will continue to update slug numbers as the season continues, so stay tuned for slug updates over the next few weeks!
Slugs in Ohio
Week 3
May 26th – June 1st, 2025
Crop Observation and Recommendation Network
C.O.R.N. Newsletter is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio crop producers and industry. C.O.R.N. Newsletter is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, state specialists at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). C.O.R.N. Newsletter questions are directed to Extension and OARDC state specialists and associates at Ohio State.
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Disclaimer
The information presented here, along with any trade names used, is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is made by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.
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