ASK THE AGRONOMIST BLOG

According to the July 24, 2023, USDA weekly crop progress report, 68% of corn is silking and 16% is at the dough stage. The weekly crop progress report also confirms that 70% of soybeans are blooming and 35% are setting pods. Soybean crop conditions are listed as 8% excellent, 46% good, 32% fair, 10% poor and 4% very poor. Corn crop conditions are listed as 11% excellent, 46% good, 30% fair, 9% poor and 4% very poor. Last week, we provided crop progress updates from Stine regional sales agronomists (RSAs) in South Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois, Arkansas, Louisiana and North Dakota. This week, RSAs in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana and southern South Dakota provide reports from their territories.

Paul Galm, Region 3 (southern South Dakota)
Corn development is in the R1 to R2 stage throughout most of the region. Ear shake tests indicate excellent corn pollination. We welcomed cooler temps early on but are ending with 90+ degree weather moving in this week, which will test subsoil moisture levels. Some fungicide applications are being made; however, very low or minimal corn or soybean leaf diseases are present.

Soybean development is progressing nicely. We’re at the R2 to R3 stage in soybeans in most fields. Those who planted 15-inch rows are at full canopy; 30-inch rows are at 70% canopy. Enlist^® applications are now complete with excellent weed control and nearly zero crop injury to report.

Most fields will be fine with the one-week forecast of hot temperatures. If we see a second hot week without significant rainfall, several fields in R3 will start showing heat and drought stress.

Dustin Ellis, Region 4 (north central and central Iowa)
In Region 4, we’re extremely dry in most of the territory. Even as dry as we are, the corn and soybeans look really promising. We could be one, maybe two rains away from a really good crop. Fortunately, we’re not seeing a lot of disease and insect pressure. We’ve dealt with a little tar spot that we’re keeping an eye on, but nothing that’s coming out and making a big issue in the territory. We’ve seen quite a bit of fungicide applied to corn in the last week to 10 days, so hopefully that will prevent any large spread of tar spot. 

Stine MX709-20, MX710-G, 9817-30 and 9808E-20 brand corn products are standing out the most in our territory. The plants look great and are in good health. What we’re seeing right now for ears is great. These products also had really good emergence, which can be attributed to planting in dry conditions this spring. Plants weren’t mudded in and were able to access the nutrients and water they needed to produce a strong root structure. It also boils down to strong genetics. Stine genetics are developed to tolerate extreme conditions.

On the soybean side, Stine Enlist E3^® soybeans are standing out. Growers are very pleased with the product and chemical program. They’re able to keep weeds down in most cases. And the overall health of Enlist E3 soybeans looks great. We did see some iron deficiency chlorosis up north on soybeans, but it was mostly manageable. Overall, we’re setting up for a really good year if Mother Nature stays happy.

Aaron Stockton, RSA Region 9 (eastern and southeastern Kansas, western Missouri)
We’re in the grips of a drought again this year. Decisions are being made to chop for silage or harvest. Dryland acres are suffering, while irrigated crops look really good. Early soybeans look decent. Most are setting pods right now. A rain would definitely help the process. Wheat harvest went really well. The double crop soybeans behind wheat have decent stands but need a drink as well. If we can catch rain, we have some hope for soybeans, but optimism is waning on the corn side. Stine 9752-32 looks good on the corn side. Early planted 9817-30 and 9818-32 look pretty good as well. A lot of customers are pleased with those three products, but we haven’t had the weather to help move them along. On the soybean side, Stine 48EE20 looks good, but everything is at a standstill until we get through this heat.

Luke Krueger, Region 16 (northern and central Indiana)
A moderate to severe drought covered most of northern Indiana to start the season. There was a concern for mid-season planting dates as corn and soybeans were taking up to 21 days to emerge in some instances. After some timely rains over the past month, a large amount of the corn is tasseled (or very close) and soybeans are beginning to put on some flowers. Optimism is growing for a successful crop barring any more adverse Mother Nature effects in the coming weeks.

Eric Webb, RSA Region 38 (northeast and north-central Kansas)
Things are looking good in northeast Kansas, considering the dry conditions we had early on from planting time. The northeast part of the state has caught timely rains, especially in July. Just in time to help with grain fill. Things look great in that part of the territory. Once you get a little farther west, they are extremely dry. Things are not up to par in the northwest and north-central portion of the state. Over the next five days, we expect 100+ degrees in that region, with no rain in the forecast. They need rain in a bad way. Some growers are starting to see burnt tips on the corn and stalks that are shorter and thin due to the drought. Most corn is also tasseled. Due to the extreme drought conditions, some soybean leaves are turning out. The current forecast will be the determining factor for the soybean situation in that territory. Corn is still manageable, but, in some cases, some are burnt pretty bad. Stine MX709 is doing really well in the drought. I’m impressed with how it has stood up to the current conditions. I have one grower who plants it in 15-inch rows, so it’s a little thicker and has canopied well.   

If you have questions related to crop progress in any of our other regions or if you need agronomic advice, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local Stine sales rep or RSA.

The USDA weekly crop progress report states that 47% of the U.S. corn crop has reached the silking stage. Of the 18 states that planted 92% of the 2022 corn acreage, corn crop conditions are listed as 11% excellent, 46% good, 30% fair, 9% poor and 4% very poor. The weekly crop progress report notes that 56% of soybeans have reached the blooming stage and 20% have set pods. Of the 18 states that planted 95% of the 2022 soybean acreage, soybean crop conditions are listed as 8% excellent, 47% good, 32% fair, 9% poor and 4% very poor. From the Delta South to Nebraska, Illinois, and North and South Dakota, here's what Stine regional sales agronomists (RSAs) are reporting from their territories.

Paul Galm, Region 3 (southern South Dakota)
Region 3 crop progress is normal to slightly ahead of normal. Corn is in the early to mid-pollination range. Soybeans are in the R1 to R2 stages. 

Soil moisture throughout most of the region continues to track from below normal to much below normal. Progress in soil moisture has been made, however, in recent weeks. Crops are catching timely rains, and most growers are optimistic about improved crop conditions and yields over last season. 

The Enlist E3^® technology is working very well despite the dry conditions, with most growers reporting very good to excellent weed control. The cleanest fields are those where a good pre-emerge or burndown program was implemented ahead of post applications. 

Stine corn hybrids with good to excellent drought ratings are handling the conditions very well. With the abundant GDU accumulation, we anticipate another good performance year, with elite Stine hybrids in the mid- to full-season maturities looking best in plots and growers’ fields.  At least one more timely rain in the next few weeks will be necessary for optimum corn yields. 

Chad Kuehl, Region 5 (southeast Nebraska)
A good portion of Region 5 is in a drought, but we’ve started to catch some rains here the past few weeks. With that always comes the spotty hailstorms that have taken out some corn and soybean fields. These late rains have really helped the soybeans start canopying the row; it’s a night and day difference from a few weeks ago. A good portion of our corn is starting to or has pollinated. So far, Stine 9817-30 and 9818-32N look really good, as well as multiple experimental hybrids in our product development plots. 

Kevin Krabel, Region 13 (central Illinois)
After an extremely hot and dry spell in June, we finally got some much-needed rain across Region 13. Most corn is tasseling, with the exception of some late planted crops. Soybeans are also flowering and have canopied for the most part. Due to the lack of rain early and then being too wet to get in the field to spray, we are seeing some increased weed pressure in the region. Growers are having to get back in the field and spray a second or third time in some instances to get the weeds beaten back. Time will tell on how everything turns out for this year’s crops. 

Kevin Ryan, Region 14 (Arkansas and Louisiana)
Corn has reached black layer most everywhere, and we are probably shutting off irrigation water after this week. Louisiana has many corn acres that will begin harvest next week. We look forward to above average yields.

Soybeans are anywhere from beginning pod set to full pod set. They look really good!

The timely planting this spring is helping us to an early harvest. It’s time to keep our eye out for grain moisture levels and weather forecasts. The last thing we need is hurricane rains for what appears to be a very good crop.

Michelle Nelson, Region 36 (southern and central North Dakota)
Things look pretty good in North Dakota. We recently received some welcomed rain but could still use some more moisture. The earliest planted corn is just starting to tassel. 

We are seeing a bit more IDC in the soybeans because of the dry conditions. The recent rains have helped, and most have rebounded. Overall, things look good. Hopefully the weather continues to cooperate for us!

Stay tuned to next week’s edition of Stine Weekly for part 2 of our crop progress report. In the meantime, if you have any questions related to our products or need any agronomic advice, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local Stine sales rep or RSA.

Before Shane Odegaard could legally drive a truck on his family's South Dakota farm, a relationship with Stine^® Seed Company was planted. Four decades later, Shane — now 55 years old — and his family still proudly use Stine seed products in their farming operation.

Shane is part of Odegaard Family Farms in Lake Preston, which is made up of himself, Justin and Jenna Odegaard, Randy and Glenda Odegaard, Heath and Michelle Kooima, and Shaun and Kristi Odegaard. Ashley Pederson is also a key employee and part of their family farm.

“My grandfather, Marvin Odegaard, was a seed dealer and started planting soybeans on our farm in 1980,” Shane explains. “He told his friend, Glen Nath DeGaulle, that soybeans were moving into the area, and he wanted to be at the forefront of selling seed to farmers. Glen recommended he talk to Harry Stine.”

And so began a legacy of loyalty that continues to stand the test of time and prosper. Marvin planted and sold Stine soybeans until he retired. Today, the Odegaard family works with Matt Hofer, an independent sales representative for Stine. 

It’s Stine’s preeminent role as a leading breeder of soybeans in the U.S. that Shane says has kept his family enthusiastic and committed to the brand across decades and generations. 

“With a lot of the seed companies, their genetics started at Stine, or they are still using Stine products,” explains Shane, whose family farms 1,800 acres of corn and soybeans — they are also heavily involved in raising pigs and have a cow-calf operation. “We have always felt that Stine is on the leading edge of genetics. The strong performance of Stine’s products and our relationship with company representatives are why they consistently earn our business."

In the world of agriculture, loyalty is a testament to the trust and performance that withstands the test of time.

“It is an honor for Stine Seed Company to be a part of the Odegaard family's farming legacy for over four decades," says Myron Stine, company president. "Marvin Odegaard's initial connection with Stine laid the foundation for a lasting relationship that has flourished through generations.

"At Stine, we take immense pride in our role as a leading breeder of soybeans in the U.S., consistently striving to be at the forefront of genetic advancements," continues Stine. "Our commitment to providing superior genetics is evident in the Odegaard family's unwavering enthusiasm and loyalty towards our brand. We understand the value of delivering exceptional products that exceed expectations and contribute to the success of farmers like the Odegaards." 

The Odegaards find tremendous value in having a Stine seed representative who also uses the genetics on their own farm. In doing so, Hofer can share firsthand experience, insights and perspectives, which help Shane make strategic business decisions on his acres. The seed that is delivered matches the unique needs of the region. Before soybeans even go in the ground at the Odegaard farm, they can be treated with fungicides and other products to ensure healthy plants and better emergence.

“Matt is incredible to work with and provides exceptional service,” Shane says. “I care about the bottom line of our operation, but service and relationships also hold equal weight. With Stine, I get a trifecta of outstanding yield, performance and service.”

Relationships Drive Loyalty

When he's not in the field, if there is one word to describe Shane, it is: involved. He is a past president of the South Dakota Pork Producers Council (SDPPC), received the 2020 Pork All-American Awards from the SDPPC, and is a member of the South Dakota Soybean Association, South Dakota Corn Growers, South Dakota and Kingsbury Cattlemen’s Club, and the Lake Preston Development Board.

Passionate about sharing the story of modern agriculture, he frequently attends policy and legislative events in Washington, D.C., as well as at the local and state levels. It’s also common to find Shane volunteering with other agriculture groups, his local church and 4-H while cooking and serving pork products at community events.

It’s that involvement that helps Shane and the Odegaard family build relationships, which are the foundation of their farming operation. It’s also an essential part of what first attracted his grandfather to Stine and continues today.

“Ever since my grandfather started working with Stine, we have had tremendous relationships with people everywhere, from the offices in Adel, Iowa, to our regional area,” Shane explains. “I still consider Tony Lenz a really good friend; he was our agronomist at one time and helped us with many seed genetic choices. There are so many others, too.

“When it comes to seed genetics, it’s all about relationships and performance. When you find a great company to work with — as we have found with Stine — you stay with them.”

In an ever-changing agricultural landscape, Stine remains committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation, forging lasting relationships, and providing exceptional seed products and services that empower farmers to thrive.

"We firmly believe that building relationships, nurturing trust and consistently delivering on our promises are the pillars that create enduring partnerships with our valued customers,” says Stine. “We are grateful to the Odegaard family and all our loyal growers for their continued support in Stine."