This information was summarized from a July 1 teleconference with ISU extension field specialists in crops. We also receive comments from independent crop consultants located throughout the state.

• Corn growth has improved during the past week due to very favorable growing weather, but unevenness in the stands continues to be reported. One cause has been attributed to crown rot, according to Brian Lang (1), George Cummins (2), Joel DeJong (3), John Creswell (4), Jim Fawcett (5), and Virgil Schmitt (6). This condition interferes with the development of the root system and can cause wilting and death of the plant. An article about crown rot was in the July 1 ICM newsletter, page 111. Other unevenness problems include lack of nitrogen (especially low areas in fields), ALS herbicide carryover from last year, and leaf blights. Virgil Schmitt (6) reported seeing some anthracnose on corn.
• First-cut hay is mostly complete, with some hay being too mature when harvested. Potato leafhoppers were above threshold levels in alfalfa as reported by George Cummins (2), John Creswell (4), Virgil Schmitt (6), Jim Jensen (7), and Mike White (8). Some fields are being treated with insecticides this week.
• Wheat scab is beginning to affect the yield of winter wheat in some areas, according to Jim Jensen (7), Al Seim (9), and Bill Lotz (10). Some of the wheat is being harvested for hay.
• Scouting for first generation European corn borer is continuing. John Creswell (4) reported quite a few fields with numbers of larvae above the threshold, but they are too small to treat. High mortality of larvae is occurring in some areas that were re-scouted. Only a few fields are being treated.