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Heavy August rains boost Ohio corn and soybeans, also creating disease concerns

A north central Ohio farmer says the recent rainfall has helped advance this year’s corn and soybean crop.

Patty Mann says they have gotten over 9 inches of rain in the last 10 days.

“The moisture has really added some additional growth on the top,” she says. “If we get some favorable conditions from here on out, I think it will be more beneficial than hurtful.”

According to the latest USDA crop progress and conditions report, Ohio corn is 100 percent silking, 81 percent in the dough stage, 15 percent dented, and rated 66 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are 100 percent blooming, 89 percent setting pods, and rated 61 percent good to excellent.

She tells Brownfield she’s starting to find some late-season diseases in soybeans.

“We didn’t get to finish fungicide on all of the beans,” she says. “The rain chased us out of the field and we haven’t had a chance to get back in the field since August 6th. We would like to finish spraying fungicide, but I don’t know if we’ll get that opportunity. The beans may be too far along.”

Mann raises corn and soybeans in Shelby County.

AUDIO: Patty Mann