An estimate of the future field corn harvest was made today. An estimated 150 to 160 bushels per acre is expected to be harvested within the next week. This was calculated by taking several samples of about 27 ears per 17.5 feet, then taking a representative sample of 6 ears and counting the kernels (length & width) of each. The average number of kernels (500) on each of the 6 ears times the average number of ears - 27 (within 17.5 feet) equaled 13,500 kernels. This total (13,500) divided by 80 gave 169 bushels per acre on a normal basis. Allow for 10 percent imperfections equals 152 bushels per acre. If this estimate proves fairly accurate, this would be a break-even situation for the corn harvest this year.
The soybean crop is also very dry. Different portions of the field show various colors of green. This can be due to the moisture soil texture that may have more clay or silt, or differences in fertilizers. The outside edges may be slightly greener due to the stink bug green stem syndrome. Stink bugs enter the soybean field from the edge first, and by piercing the plant stem, the soybean plant on the field edge remains green longer.
The soybean plant losses its leaves due to the shorter day length (photoperiod). The beans inside the pods are on the small side due to lack of rain. Without moisture the plant is aborting new flower growth that create new pods, and thus putting all its energy into the existing pods. This will make them less marketable and less profitable (if sold at a profit).
The Pedron peppers have rebounded nicely and are being irrigated. They are picked every Monday by the master gardeners, probably until frost.
In the demonstration plots the giant pumpkin plants have rebounded with the aid some dedicated master gardeners and the use of fungicide, insecticide and fertilizer spray. Two of the seven pumpkins were removed from the vine. All this is valuable experience to be used next year. The six tomato plants are producing well. Several tomato horn worms were noted today with the white wasp eggs attached as the parasite.
Notes compiled by John Siemanonski
