Crops continue to progress

Weather-While there was quite a storm that covered most of Richland County on Friday, July 22, one farmer mentioned that the rain that it brought, for the most part, proved to be more beneficial than the hail and winds were detrimental. Some areas of the county, however, did receive more hail than others, so farmers in those areas do not necessarily share the same sentiments.

Small Grains-Wheat, barley, oats, and durum continue to make substantial strides toward maturity. Most of these grains have headed out and a substantial amount of them are starting to turn.

Sugarbeets-At a recent field day event, it was mentioned that more than 1,000 acres either did not get planted or was planted and then got drowned out. The acreage that remains, however, is progressing nicely.

Forages- Much of the irrigated alfalfa is ready for or has been cut for the second time. Most of the dryland acreage has been cut for the first time as well.

Pests- Still no major issues on the pest front. There have been quite a few planes flying this week applying fungicides over sugarbeet fields, however. Some cercospera and rhizoctonia has been spotted but not at damaging levels.