Crop conditions declining

   I will post more often this month as corn in in a critical stage of development and weather has not been favorable. I have also added the drought monitor from the government at http://www.drought.gov/portal/server.pt/community/drought.gov/202 to my links.  Please keep farmers in your prayers as many are in the beginning stages of a drought.  Indiana in the worse followed by Missouri and central Illinois.  We have already had 13 days over 90 degrees in Chicago while the yearly average in 14. Combine that with receiving half of out normal spring rain puts corn under stress.  On my farm I had received .7" rain a week ago which was a blessing but none since.  However many areas missed that rain.  Indiana is forecast to get above 95 degrees Thursday and Friday.  They have already suffered a 10% yield reduction and could continue to drop 10% a week if no rain falls and temperatures go that high.
    I do not think the total corn crop is as bad as 1988 (dryest year in my lifetime) yet but many areas are close.  We have had several years like his and if we can keep from getting days over 95 degrees and nights over 70 degrees with some rain every 7 to 10 days this corn harvest will meet demand.  If temperatures are higher and less rain falls we may be 20 bushel per acre below projections.  The forecast is not promising.
    Many soybean fields are showing signs of inadequate rain needed to get even germination.  My beans have grown very little and are more compact as a result.  I expect that when they pod the first pods will be close to the ground so I will need to be careful to adjust my combine to run as low as possible.  I am going to apply roundup on my beans for a second time next week. Any weed growing is removing what little moisture is available to the crop and where I would normally have waited it is going to pay to keep weeds to a minimum.  Thankfully by using GMO beans I have a dependable option, my cost would amount to 1/2 a bushel at harvest and will more than pay for that application.  I continue to believe that the improved plant health and ability to have more management options that comes with GMO crops is the only way we can produce enough to feed the world and years like this make me more of a believer.   Every field will be monitored for insect damage and treated if necessary.
                                                                   Serving together, Dean