Corn in the county continues to move towards maturity. Fields around the county have starch lines that are 70% down the kernel or more. Meaning we’re close to stop irrigation and call it done for the year. The majority of fields around still have a couple of weeks, but we are getting closer.
Rice fields are showing their heads in full force this past week. Rice stink bug pressure continues to be light. As more fields begin to head out in weeks to come insect pressure should decrease. Conditions continue to be excellent for grain fill and maturity in this rice crop.
Soybean fields building some insect pressure in the past weeks with some reaching threshold levels for treatment. Staying on top of irrigation is critical during this hot and dry time we are having. Few redbanded stink bugs have been found already in the state with majority found in SW Arkansas.
We have a great deal of optimism with this year’s cotton crop. Lot of fields reaching cutout and retaining 90% of first position bolls. Knowing the date of cutout is important in identifying the last group of bolls that will contribute significantly to yield and profit and base our end-of-season decisions.
