The 2026 harvest season is ‘one-for-the-books’, and not in a good way.  It has been a fight from the beginning to get the crop out and it looks to be a fight to the end.  Many factors have contributed to this, such as weather conditions, down corn, grain quality & condition (especially soybeans), among others, all of which is greatly influenced by environment.  And, as we know already, environment has the greatest impact on final yield, both in what is produced in the field and what we are able to harvest out of the field. We can ‘do everything right’ to the best of our ability, but Mother Nature has final ‘say’ on how ‘what we do’ turns out.  This has led to the most trying harvest conditions in recent memory and beyond. Which leads to the question of why….why is this year so different from prior years?….and what can we do to keep this from occurring next year and beyond?  This update will try to explain some of the ‘why this happened’ and provide some management ideas to think about for 2027.

Quick Takeaways:

• Irrigated corn yields variable, better than last year in some cases….still off in others….and that’s not counting the down corn.
• Dryland corn yields good in heavy soils….rains didn’t come soon enough in most sand….
• Soybean yields, both irrigated and dryland…above-to-much above normal…to best ever….
• Fastest GDU accumulation in 30+ years….2012 next closest.
• Shortest grainfill period for a number of years….KEY to what happened at harvest
• Hot & Dry through pollination and early kernel set…
• Warm nights during grainfill….
• Sunlight good through pollination, but below normal during grainfill…
• Rain arrived late….
• Tar Spot really came on late….
• Late September….wet, humid spell caused increased soybean seed discoloration.

PERFECT STORM….Weather Stresses…

We are getting tired of using this title, as it seems every year Mother Nature gives us a ‘perfect storm’ of stress.  And yet, 2026 was a year of extremes as far as weather was concerned.  As in every year, there is no one single cause for the yields we are seeing this year; however, 2026 gave many different stress events, from beginning to the end of the year and each stress compounded the other as the year progressed, and these stresses went from one extreme to the other.  No two years are alike, and this proved true for 2026.

A TALE OF THREE YEARS….

Chart below shows a comparison between the years 2024, 2025, & 2026 for some of the major weather metrics.  This data is using a planting date of April 21st and uses a 2700 GDU hybrid (113 day).  As you look at this chart, keep in mind that 2024 had great yields across all soil types….the most 300bu weighs we have had in one year, though it had heavy Southern Rust and minimal Tar Spot….2024 saw better overall yields on a general basis than either 2025 or 2026….and some of those fields in 2024 had no fungicide applied to them….

What this meant for yield and plant health:

• 2026 had the Fastest GDU accumulation & Shortest Grainfill period out of the three years. Crop reached black layer about 10-13 days ahead of 2024 and 2025 and 2026 had the most 90+ degree days and 70+ degree nights…..note the spike during pollination for both high and low temps. This put extra stress on the crop versus 2024 & 2025.

Corn crop was being ‘pushed’ throughout the growing season.  Note the above trendline starting in May already.  Note also the above normal highs and lows for all of the grainfill period for 2026 in the second graph.

• Warm Nights: 2026 had the warmest nighttime temperatures out of the three years.  Warm nights lead to higher energy loss by the plant which causes increased stress under reduced sunlight and moisture conditions.  See graphs below for 2026 & 2024:

They backup the earlier slide on average highs and  lows from above.  Note that 2026 saw the highest nighttime average low temperature during grainfill in the last 15 years….note also the cooler temperatures in 2024 vs. 2026.  All of this leads to higher demand for water, nutrients, photosynthesis at the most critical period of corn development….

• Sunlight: 2026 had the least sunlight during grainfill out of the last three years.  Sunlight is so important to yield and plant health!  Sunlight was good up to and through pollination, but fell off in August/September.  Overall sunlight was also down due to shortened grainfill period leading to reduced energy production, which leads to poorer late-season plant health.
• Precipitation: Note that 2026 had the highest grainfill precipitation out of the three years.  This is always a key in soybean production, but can be a detriment to irrigated corn (not so much in yield, but in overall plant health) as increased rainfall leads to an increase in potential for damage from storms, cloudier weather, more leaf wetness hours, etc., which leads to increased potential for disease.  Graph below compares precipitation from planting for 2025 and 2026.

Big difference in timing of precipitation between 2025 and 2026.  2025’s rainfall came early in the growing season, with consequent reduced plant biomass/root growth and N loss.  2026 was very dry early and through pollination leading to good plant biomass and better root growth; however, the later rainfall increased potential for more stress under high yield irrigated conditions from disease, etc., especially with the warm nights we experienced.

• Tar Spot & Leaf Wetness: As expected, Tar Spot grew in severity for 2026 as inoculum continued to build up over last couple of years. 2026 saw heavy Tar Spot and it left its impact on yield by causing pre-mature leaf loss and plant death, which directly impacted yield through loss from down corn.  Tar Spot is not THE cause for down corn, but it played a major role in it by speeding up leaf loss, contributing to less late grainfill energy production that normally goes into providing late-season plant health. Tar Spot also caused yield loss without down corn in susceptible hybrids, through premature death occurring already in August.  Why was it so bad this year?

The above graph shows a comparison for estimated hours of leaf wetness, and favorable days for Tar Spot development, for 2025 and 2026. As with any disease, but even more so with Tar Spot, hours of leaf wetness are critical for how severe disease infestations will be.  Note how opposite the two years are from each other, especially in Tar Spot favorable days. This is directly related to the increased precipitation mentioned above, but also note how early Tar Spot favorable days started in 2026 vs. 2025, and then note how long of a period of favorable days we had through the month of August for 2026.  All of this led to a high outbreak of Tar Spot which allowed it to get established and really take-off late in the season, killing off leaf area.  Couple this with the foggy, cloudy, damp days in August and late-September, and Tar Spot was able to quickly develop and spread under irrigated conditions. See below graphs for comparison to 2026 and 2024.

Note how relative humidity stayed high throughout the month of August for 2026 versus 2024, and note the amount of red favorable days between the two years. Keep in mind that, while Tar Spot is a major factor moving forward in corn production for our area, it is not a ‘given’ that it will be this bad from year-to-year….that is dependent upon weather conditions, especially in August/September. A point to keep in mind, is that 2025 saw high levels of Southern Rust along with Tar Spot and yet plant standability was good overall late into harvest….

• Bottomline:
  • 2026 setup for high irrigated yields heading into grainfill….while dryland looked bleak…
  • We achieved high irrigated yields, but at the expense of plant standability (not enough energy to produce both high yield and late-season plant health)….
  • Dryland pulled through with late rains….and stood better through reduced populations and reduced leaf wetness from thinner plant canopy.
  • On top of shortened grainfill period, Tar Spot put the finishing touches to trying to maintain some staygreen and plant health late, leading to cornfields by the end of September look like they do on the 1st of November.  In many ways, Tar Spot is like someone with an already weakened immune system contracting Covid and then Covid killing them….same for the corn plant, it was already weakened from other stresses during the year and Tar Spot was the final event that ‘pushed them’ over the edge.
  • Intensive management under irrigation, such as high populations, high fertility/manure, narrow rows, cause their own stress, and under less than ideal conditions during grainfill those stresses are compounded.  This is why some of the more intensively managed irrigated acres saw increased down corn.  Any additional ‘normal’ management practices, such as corn-on-corn acres, can come with their own stresses, which are then compounded as well, under a grainfill period like we saw in 2026.
  • Importance of grainfill period:  2024 had the best grainfill period (more consistent) over the past three years….cooler temperatures….greater sunlight…less moisture, less storm damage, less clouds consequent drier plant canopies….hence the higher yields.  We saw fields in 2024 that had no fungicide applications and heavy southern rust still yield 260-280 bushel averages.  Yield is as much weather conditions at grainfill (especially month of August) as is about potential disease pressure….

The above bar graphs show weather by growth stage for 2026 and 2024.  Note again the differences in timing of rainfall, temperatures, relative humidity and hours of leaf wetness between the two years, keeping in mind yield and standability between the two years….

The above bar chart shows grainfill and silking weather comparing 2024, 2025 & 2026.  This just summarizes what was discussed above.

THOUGHTS HEADING INTO 2027….

While harvest conditions are making it difficult to arrive at ‘solid’ conclusions when looking at harvest data and hybrid plots, there is still much we can get out of this years production.

• Managing for 2027: 
  • Tar Spot – First line of defense is hybrid/genetic selection.  Those hybrids that showed the best tolerance to Tar Spot (even though they still went down) had better yields than those hybrids that were more, or very, susceptible to Tar Spot.  Starting with a good foundation for protection (just like having a healthy immune system before onset of disease) helps fight off the disease and makes any management of these disease through fungicide applications, etc., easier and more cost-effective.  Not starting out with a healthy immune system when contracting a disease, leads to higher costs and less effective treatments.
  • One-pass or Two-pass fungicide applications: On a general basis, seeing a positive yield response to a second fungicide application over one-pass application….anywhere from 5-30+ bushels…though not on every field.  No general consensus on timing or application method so far….seeing all timing and method of applications show poor standability and less-or-more yield. There is no ‘one-blanket’ statement to be made on timing or method of application from our observations….
  • Keep all tools in the toolbox: Don’t be ready to discard a management practice that you have been doing just because of one year.  It is best to keep all tools handy, including some new ones, like Speedbox planter treatments, adjusting plant populations where needed, trying new ways to improve irrigation management to reduce leaf wetness, and other ideas, will be key to getting consistent results in 2027.
  • ‘Right product, Right Acre’ – still holds true.  Putting the right hybrid/variety for the right acre carries the best chances for highest yields.  Managing for drought, disease, early-planting, etc., are still key to consistent performance.

SOYBEAN YIELDS: As mentioned at the start of this newsletter, soybean yields overall were above average to well-above average. A lot of mid 70’s to mid’90’s field averages, and this was with all the discolored soybeans from the damp, cloudy weather experienced during the last two weeks of September.  The rains received in August went A LONG way to making these yields.  Soybeans again showed very good response to April planting dates.

More information and local plot data to follow over the next week or so….

Here is a line pulled from the 2025 harvest update:

“The most true statement heading into 2026 is that no two years are alike weather wise….July 2025 will not be the July of 2026….”

How very true that statement was, as July 2026 was very much unlike July 2025….so it will be in July/August 2026 vs. 2027….

Please contact with any questions or comments you are seeing as harvest continues.

Thank you for your business and support!!

Have a continued safe and successful harvest!

Starman Seed & Supply, Inc.

With the wet weather we want to start with some positive trends….the 6-10 and 8-14 day forecasts are very positive.

While we don’t put a lot of store in these maps shown below, we will take anything that forecasts warmer temps and no precipitation! It does look like we will get a window of harvest weather over the next 10-14 days….we should get some warm days in October yet….

Topics:

• Harvest Priorities….
• Tar Spot….affects and thinking about next year….
• What’s New from Pioneer….

HARVEST PRIORITIES:

• Wet soil conditions, poor stalk quality due to disease, and very little weather conducive for corn drydown, is setting us up for a longer harvest than normal, and with many issues we have not faced for a long while.  We want to update on you what current crop conditions are like and try to leave you with some thoughts to increase productivity during this harvest season.
• Mother Nature has not been kind to us over the last few weeks with the wet conditions….fog, drizzle, clouds, rainy.  What was already shaping up to be a harvest we have not been used to compared to the last many years, has the potential to be a harvest (especially the end of harvest) we have not seen for a couple of decades….
• Plant health in corn.  Overall health for this time of year is the poorest we have seen in a long time, and in this large of an area to boot.  As you drive the countryside, you notice most all corn fields are brown….this is true from here to Omaha and east. Our corn crop looks like it is November 1st (normally we have 70% harvested by Nov. 1 and this year it is less than 2%) and we need to think of it that way, even though it is the 1st of October.  There are many reasons for why the crop looks like this with Tar Spot being the biggest (more on this below).  Despite the best efforts we could do with fungicides, etc., Mother Nature is winning the battle for this year, on crop staygreen and standability.
• First thing….machines should be running somewhere, regardless….even if that means combing corn in the morning, switching to soybeans for the day….going back to corn in the evening.  We know this is extreme, but both crops will be crying out to harvest me now….The ability to harvest soybeans before going to corn, before corn has an issue, may not be available this season.
• Should I leave soybeans and go after corn?….everyone’s situation is different, but keep in mind that harvesting down corn is a SLOW process that typically results in higher harvest losses.  May want to pencil out insurance coverage for both crops when considering this question…
• Current conditions will limit crop dry down.  Expect higher harvest moistures than typical vs. the past years.  Hopefully we will get some weather to help get manageable moistures over the next week or so.  Keep in mind also, that when a crop finishes fast due to stress or disease, dry down is usually slower than normal to begin with. From past experience, diseased fields and/or down corn, dry down at a slower pace.
• To get the crop out more timely, one may have to put the crop into a grain bin at a higher moisture level than comfortable with (and plan to move by Dec/Jan as well) just to get it out of the field with as little of harvest loss as possible (again, insurance coverage may play a role here).  Higher harvest losses will mean a higher potential for volunteer corn, with ensuing rotation to soybeans for 2027 to control that volunteer.
• Bottomline….current conditions are pointing to harvest conditions unlike we have experienced for many years.  As we mentioned in earlier updates, being flexible in your harvest priorities will pay dividends as harvest progresses.  Making sure both equipment and storage facilities are in shape will be important.
• Patience & Safety. While this harvest will be sure to try one’s patience, having a plan and knowing what one faces, helps with patience.  In this harvest season, please keep safety upper most in your thoughts….no crop is worth an injury to, or the loss of, a loved one….
• The excessive moisture and constant damp conditions of past weeks is speeding up the breakdown of plant residue.  We will not experience the heavy residue of this past spring going into 2027 planting.  Those stalks harvested already will be black in two weeks and crop residue will be MUCH less than past years heading into winter….won’t be as much ‘feed value’ out there for cows vs past years. Expect combines to be covered in ‘black’ mold/tar spot residue as harvest moves forward as well.
• Ear Molds: the prevalent wet conditions are leading to a concern about ear molds developing at a quicker pace.  Ear molds were already present before this foggy, wet weather set in, and these conditions are increasing the amount of ear molds in area fields.  If you have questions/concerns about ear mold, please call.  This link has excellent information about ear molds and handling them…An Overview of Ear Rots
• Video links of the Pioneer show plot showing what to look for on plant/stalk health.  Stalks on 9/28 P13777 & P14270     Stalks on 9/28 P11056 vs. weak Tar Spot hybrid
• When you view the links, keep in mind that the ‘whole field’ may not look like this, as I was in an area of higher elevation, which is impacting Tar Spot severity within a field….see bullet point on leaf wetness below for more info….

Tar Spot:

No denying it.  Tar Spot is looking to be a ‘game changer’ in our area moving forward, both in impact and management of.  Below are pictures from Satellite imagery showing affects of fungicide applications, irrigation timing, etc., on Tar Spot.  There will be much to learn this year on this disease, and no one ‘thing’ from this year will be a ‘cure-all’ for Tar Spot.  However, the images below will help with management decisions for next year.  As you look at these images, keep in the mind the dates posted above the images, as this will give an idea on how fast this disease moves late in the season….

The three images above show the affect of watering to soon after fungicide application.  Need to leave systems off at least 6-12 hours before starting, more if possible.

Two-pass fungicide….

These photos show strips in the middle of the field that were not treated with a second fungicide application.  The strip in the middle is one-pass and the rest is two-pass.  Note again, the rapidity with which Tar Spot moves…

Seeing and hearing a lot on application methods, etc., in area fields.  The above photos show streaks from plane application.  We see streaks from Drone applications as well.  We also see good spray patterns from planes and drones as well…not every field is the same….plane, drone, pivot applications can all work, but like anything, how effective of control one may get depends upon environmental conditions, applicator and timing….

Ready or not, much to learn this year….

Moving forward:

• Have to start with right genetics.  If not planting the best tolerance genetics, one starts out behind the proverbial ‘8-ball.’  Playing ‘catch-up’ throughout the growing season…reacting to, rather than managing for….
•        
• The first image shows a split planter trial of Pioneer and Competitor.  One can see the difference even late-season.  Two-pass fungicide through the pivot.  Application dates were 7/16 & 8/8.
• We will learn more on methods and timing of application as harvest progresses, however, we are know both are important in managing this disease.
• Leaf wetness is a huge factor in the severity of this disease as well.  As you harvest, expect your lower ground to have heavier Tar Spot.  Those areas of the field that experienced wetter leaf wetness hours will be worse for Tar….both standability and potentially, yield. See image below for graph representation of this….
• 
• The blue line is 2026.  This is from ag-wx.com and is using our Pioneer warehouse location.  Note how off-the-charts leaf wetness has been, not only all year, but especially since the beginning of August.  Leaf wetness for 2026 has been high all year, but was just crazy wet over the last two months.  This has played a big role in Tar Spot severity….

What’s New from Pioneer….

While Tar Spot is making us think hard about how to manage this disease, we are not without ‘tools-in-toolbox’.  A couple of these tools are in Pioneer’s NEXTA lineup of biologicals:

NEW FROM NEXTA:

• Nexta Speedbox Advanced: Speedbox solutions for corn and soybeans.  These pails are added directly on the seed at planting.
•                        
• These flyers show the Speedbox offering from NEXTA for corn and soybeans for 2027. The offering goes from the BASE speedbox on the left, with graphite and micronutrients, to the full COMPLETE speedbox on the right, with BASE + Phos stabilizer + Insect + Disease.
• We want to highlight the DISEASE speedbox.  With the amount of Tar Spot in our area, this speedbox is something that growers should take a look at for 2027.  It comes with Faprosta I for improved disease control on Southern Rust and Tar Spot. Research is showing an overall improvement to disease tolerance with this product.  It has the potential to take a hybrid scoring a 5 for tolerance on Tar to a 6.  Out of all of the speedboxes, this one appears to have the most value….see images below for a split trial with Faprosta and an early yield trial:
•                This bears a look at for 2027….
• NEXTA Shield Soybean Treatment. We will offering NEXTA Shield as a seed treatment for 2027.   Shield is a key tool for early planted soybean acres, reducing early season cold stress, aids thru the V2-V3 stage of growth.  Provides nutritional support with Cobalt and Molybdenum micros along with N molecule and soluble K.  Pioneer is seeing good results on improving stands and early growth. See image below for split planter trial.
• 
• 
• The flyer above shows the complete lineup of biologicals from NEXTA for 2027.  Image below shows results from Spark & Swole added to a fungicide treatment in 2026: Left photo is treatment date and application and right photo is satellite imagery of the treatment.
• 
• VICTRATO: As mentioned at the plot tour, Pioneer offering Victrato in their Lumigen seed treatment lineup for soybeans.  Victrato will control of for SDS and Red Crown Rot, replacing Ilevo in the lineup.  Improves control of SCN over Ileveo.  Research is showing a 1.5 bushel per acre advantage over current Ilevo treatment….without the Ilevo ‘burn’ on the cotelydon.
• Please reach out to us with any questions on these products and/or for more information about them.

All for now.  Per usual, we will be texting out plot data as harvest progresses.

Please let us know any questions on hybrids, harvest priority’s, management, etc.

Please stay safe and have a successful harvest season!

Starman Seed & Supply, Inc.

Topics:

– Temperatures & GDU Accumulation

– Corn Update/Disease/Water Usage/Weather Update

– Corn/Soybean Insect Update

TEMPERATURES & GDU ACCUMULATION:

As of August 24th, we have accumulated approximately the following for Growing Degree Units in 2026:

Planting Date     GDD’s2026          Average GDD          Departure from 30-yr average           2025

April 16                  2427                          2200                                +227  (+11 days)                        2375

April 21                  2384                          2169                                +215   (+11 days)                        2341

April 25                 2323                           2140                               +183   (+9 days)                         2307

May 1                     2315                           2100                                +215   (+11 days)                        2262

May 8                    2256                           2039                                +217   (+11 days)                        2179

It’s hard to believe, but we have gained 3 days since the update on August 10th.  On August 10th, we were 7-8 days ahead of the 30-yr average and now we are 9-11 days ahead.  This gain came from warmer than average nighttime temperatures.  Nighttime temperatures have averaged 2-4 degrees above normal for the month of August, while daytime temperatures have been normal to 1 degree below normal. While August felt cooler to us, it wasn’t necessarily so….it just FELT cooler than July!  August moisture has also been above normal.  See maps below:

The first map shows Total Precipitation Ranks by Climate District so far in August.  NE Nebraska district has had the 4th wettest August in the past 134 years.  This is also reflected in the Percent of Normal Precipitation map for Nebraska over the past two weeks, where we are running 200-300% above normal.

CROP UPDATE/WATER USE/WEATHER UPDATE

• Crop conditions: Much of the Corn crop in the area is in the Full Dent to 1/4-1/3 milk line….some 1/2 milk lines on fields planted April 16th or so, and early maturity.  Last year at this time, corn was Full Dent to 1/8-1/4 milk line, so we are currently slightly ahead of 2025.   Soybeans are running ahead of normal as well.  Early planted soybeans are in the R6-R6.5(full seed), with May planting dates in the R5-5.5(Beg. Seed) stage.  These stages-of-growth track with the above GDU accumulation of one week ahead of normal.
• The hybrids that we currently plant today, perform best with a long grain-fill period….we like to 3-4 weeks of good fill weather once crop reaches full-dent for highest test weights, kernel depth, and good late-season plant health.  So far, we are seeing good kernel depth in area fields and early grain color also looks good.  Late-season plant health will be dependent upon the ‘race-to-the-end’ with disease and spider mites….more on this below.
• Relative Humidity – With all of the foggy mornings over this past month, it doesn’t surprise anyone that RH has been much-above normal for August.  See graph below:
• 
• The graph shows daily maximum RH for Norfolk for 2026.  The black line represents the average.  Note the far end of the graph for the month of August….note how everyday in August has been above average.  This helped to lower ET rates over the past few weeks, but has the potential to increase disease severity.  Next few weeks will tell the story on this….
• Total Water Needs to Finish:
•          
• The above charts show water still needed for corn and soybeans.  At current crop stages, corn is needing anywhere from 3-5″ to finish and soybeans are needing 4-6″ to finish, depending upon weather and planting dates.  If no rain, we are not done irrigating….
• Sunlight – As always sunlight becomes a major player during grain-fill for both yield and late-season plant health.  See graph below for the month of August:
• 
• The above map shows the daily solar radiation anomaly for Elgin so far this year. Note the far end of the map which shows the month of August. So far, August has been, on average, below normal for sunlight.  Not surprising considering the fog, etc., we have been experiencing.  We always stress how important sunlight is for kernel depth and test weights, and it plays a big role in overall plant health.  Hopefully, we will get back to more sunlight to finish the grain fill period!
• Diseases – So far the 2026 growing season has seen much reduced leaf disease pressure overall when compared to 2025.  We are starting to see Southern Rust show up, but this is coming in very late, and is not anywhere near the yield-robbing levels it was in 2025.
• We continue to monitor for Tar Spot.  We continue to see this disease show up in higher levels than last year, but we are now starting to see it greatly increase in area fields, especially further west of Elgin. Greatest impact from this disease will most likely be on late-season standability. We will update for any impact on harvest as the growing season progresses to the finish line.  See link below for the recent Kick n’ Dirt podcast on Tar Spot….worth a listen.  Bottomline, disease will impact both final yield and harvestability for 2025.
• Tar Spot in Corn: When is Fungicide Still Worth It?
• For Soybeans, we are just now seeing a little White Mold show up in some fields.  Overall levels of this disease are very low considering the growing season so far.  This disease should not be an impact on irrigation management.  However irrigation management moving forward in soybeans this year, will have more to do with lodging than disease.   SDS is showing up in our area once again, heavier than in 2025 overall.  We continue to see increased levels of this disease each year.  Monitor fields for this disease and plan on seed treatment for next year in those fields showing high pressure….which is a fair amount of them now.  See discussion below on new product for SDS Victrato that will be offered for 2027.  In general though, overall disease in soybeans is low….
• Victrato: Introducing Victrato seed treatment as an enhancement to the LumiGEN seed treatment lineup for 2027. Victrato provides broad spectrum protection against early-season soybean nematodes and diseases, such as SDS and Red Crown Rot. This will replace Ilevo for SDS control and soybean cyst nematode control.  Has shown a 1.5 bu yield advantage over Ilevo, while providing superior plant vigor and protection against SCN, SDS and RCR, for the past two years in trials. This will be a great offering for SDS in our area!

CORN/SOYBEAN INSECT UPDATE

• Spider Mites – Currently we are finding spider mite colonies in many area fields.  Overall numbers are low in heavy soils, however, in conventional corn/white corn/popcorn fields we are seeing higher numbers due to earlier treatments for corn borer and western bean cutworm. Also seeing higher numbers in many sandy soil fields.  Some fields have been treated for this pest, so keep an eye on this insect over the next 7-10 days or so.
• Corn Leaf Aphids – These can be found in most fields.  They proliferate in high humidity conditions.  They are not a cause for concern….just more of a nuisance when walking through fields.
• Soybean pests – so far, insect activity in soybeans continues to be very light.  We are seeing some soybean aphids, but low numbers overall.  Expectations for major outbreaks of these pests are low….or, really outbreaks of any kind in soybeans, at this stage.

Reminder: The Pioneer Plot tour is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2nd….at the Jim/Dave Schiltmeyer Farm – 1/2  mile east on 838 Rd.

All for now!  Stay safe and thanks for your time!

TOPICS FOR THIS UPDATE:

• Temperatures & GDU accumulation update
• What’s going on in my fields right now…
• Fungicide/Diseases in Corn,
• Insect Update
• Soybean Update

TEMPERATURES & GDU ACCUMULATION:

As of July 1st, we have accumulated approximately the following for Growing Degree Units in 2026:

Planting Date     GDD’s2026          Average GDD          Departure from 30-yr average            2025

April 16                  1161                          1036                                +125                                                1116

April 21                  1117                          1005                                +112                                                1083

April 25                 1057                          976                                 +81                                                   1049

May 1                     1048                          937                                 +109                                                1003

May 8                    990                            875                                 +115                                                 920

Overall GDU accumulation has slipped some from the last update on June 11th.  The second half of June average temperatures were off by 4 degrees.  So far, 2026 is currently running 4-5 days above the 30-year average and very similar to 2025 and the 10-year average.  Even though the last half of June was cooler than normal, we are still on track to tassel/silk at normal dates.

Above are the 6-10 and 8-14 day temperature outlooks as of July 1st.  These change every day, so take with a grain-of-salt.  However, temperatures are trending to be above normal for the next two weeks.  Warm temperatures and full sun are always a positive….

What’s going on in my fields?

• General conditions and Silking: The corn crop in our area looks very good at present time.   Overall color is good, holding up much better than last year at this time. Much of the corn crop is in the V11-V14 stage, which is tracking very close to normal and slightly ahead of 2025.   From V10-VT, corn gains a new leaf every 50 GDU’s, or about every other day.  Cooler temps will delay this to 2.5 days/new leaf.  Majority of tasseling will most likely be from July 13-24th.  Keep in mind that hybrids silk early, or late, versus their maturity rating.  It always seems to take a little longer than expected….see graph below for predicted silk date, etc., using current conditions and the 10-year average….planting date for the graph is April 21st, using a 113 day maturity hybrid….this is showing a silk date of July 17th…
•                                                                                              
• Kernels per row begin around V12 and will continue through and up to tassel stage
• Nitrogen needs will continue to grow through tasseling and into early reproductive stages.  Nitrogen uptake in corn is very rapid now through tassel (up to 4-8 lbs per day).  As we have discussed in the past, today’s hybrids use nitrogen later in the growing season and into the reproductive phases.  You will want to keep that last shot of N available for after tasseling….40-50#.  Keep in mind that the higher amounts of rain received this week in some sandy soil areas may have caused some N leaching to occur.  Keep this in mind as you determine your final N applications.  Overall color, however, looks very good throughout the area….We are now into the rapid growth and accumulation of dry matter by the plant.  The window for brittle snap is still open from now to tassel….
• Tasseling/Silking: Under field conditions, pollen shed usually occurs in the late morning and early evenings.
• Pollen shed will extend for one to two weeks, but if field is uniform in plant emergence and height, pollen shed is 80% complete in 5-7 days from full tassel emergence….this will take place the week of July 13-21st.  Expect some unevenness in tasseling/silk emergence in many fields due to the heavy residue/dry soils causing slow emergence this spring.
• At tassel, vegetative development is now complete; maximum plant height and root depth is achieved.
• VT overlaps with R1 (silking stage) when visible silks appear before the tassel is fully emerged.  By definition, growth stage R1 (Abendroth et al., 2011) for an individual ear is defined when a single silk strand is visible from the tip of the husk. An entire field is defined as being at growth stage R1 when silks are visible on at least 50 % of the plants. This whole field definition for growth stage R1 is synonymous with the term “mid-silk”.
• A captured pollen grain takes about 24 hours to grow down the silk to the ovule for fertilization.
• Peak pollen shed usually occurs in mid-morning.   Some research indicates that pollen shed decreases after temperatures surpass 86F.   A second “flush” of pollen often occurs in late afternoon or evening as temperatures cool.   Pollen shed may occur throughout most of the day under relatively cool, cloudy conditions….. Crop Focus – Corn Pollination Success
• Weather conditions influence pollen shed.  If the anthers are wet, the pores will not open and pollen will not be released.   Thus, on an average summer morning following a heavy evening dew, pollen shed will not begin until the dew dries and the anther pores open.  Similarly, pollen is not shed during rainy conditions.   Cool, humid temperatures delay pollen shed, while hot, dry conditions hasten pollen shed.  We have seen more problems with pollination under cool temps vs. warm temps.
• Generally 2-3 days are required for all silks on a single ear to be exposed and pollinated, with the silks on the butt of the ear emerging first.  The silks will grow from 1-1.5 inches each day and will continue to elongate until fertilized.  If not pollinated, silk elongation stops about 10 days after silk emergence due to senescence of the silk tissue. Unusually long silks can be a diagnostic symptom that the ear was not successfully pollinated.
• Silk emergence and growth is dependent upon turgid pressure within the plant, in other words how much water is available in the plant to cover all of its needs.   If this is limited, (ie. dryland, low-gallon wells, etc.) silk emergence will be slowed and delayed with potential to miss the pollen shed.   Under severe water stress conditions pollen shed will still take place like normal, however, silks can be delayed, which means potential for poor pollination.
• It takes approximately 55-60 days from silking (R1) to physiological maturity.  So if a field is silking on July 15^th, it will need until September 15^th to reach maturity, given average weather.  Current 6-10 and 8-14 day forecasts call for above normal temperatures which would give us an average of 23-26 GDU’s/day.
• High nighttime temperatures (ie. any stress) begin to play a role in final yield during grain-fill as this causes the plant to work harder to maintain both yield and overall plant health, thereby lowering potential final yield.

Corn Leaf Disease/Fungicide

• The next four to six weeks will be critical for disease infestations and fungicide applications.  So far, overall levels of disease are very low in the area…even bacterial leaf streak is below normal. Keep in mind that if we see cool temperatures and wet conditions, potential disease outbreaks will increase exponentially, and we will also see a wider range of different diseases.
• Tar Spot has been found throughout our area, but lesions are very low at present time and not easily found.  Hybrid tolerance is first line of defense with a fungicide giving added protection.  Pioneer offers the best hybrid tolerance to this disease in the industry.  The two graphs below are related to Tar Spot and disease in general and give us something to watch for as we progress in the growing season:
•                  
• The first graph is daily GDU accumulation using an April 21st planting date.  Main thing to note is the lower temperatures in the last half of June.  These two weeks were very conducive for Tar Spot  and Northern Corn Leaf Blight development.  These two weeks have set up Tar Spot to be heavy in the area once again.  However, if temperatures stay high and humidity is low over next few weeks, development will be slower compared to last year.
• The second graph shows accumulated leaf wetness hours for Elgin over the past ten years using April 21st planting date.  Leaf wetness is an indicator for disease development and severity. The more hours a leaf stays wet, the higher incidence of disease infestation.  Main thing to note is how 2025 was the worst year over the past 10 years…how it climbed all year long, this was due to both environmental conditions and high rainfall. Now note that as of July 1st, 2026 is trending in that same direction….                                                                In other words, our fields are set up for both development of, and high incidence for, disease, as the year progresses.
• We will keep you posted on this disease as the year progresses….   See slides below:
• 
• We have yet to see much for Southern Rust.  Hopefully, we will not see the same levels in 2026 as we have seen for the past two years.  Remember that this disease does not overwinter in our area and much move up from the south….
• If you are planning on only one fungicide application, the best timing for this application is VT-R1, as the crop is working the hardest at this time and has the highest demand for energy.  We want to protect as much of the leaf surface as possible in this time frame, which is from pollination and the two weeks after.   Corn on corn acres are always a good place to start with fungicide applications.
• While any hybrid can have a response to foliar fungicides, hybrids such as P05081, P05466, P09944, P0995, P09076, P1185,  P13476, P13050, P1413, P14830, & P15517, P1742 are hybrids to focus on first for higher probability of response from foliar fungicides…..
• 2026 Pioneer Fungicide Considerations for Corn ….This attachment is a list of Pioneer hybrids and their potential response to a fungicide application for Gray Leaf Spot and Norther Corn Leaf Blight and Tar Spot. The chart also shows staygreen and stalk strength ratings for each hybrid.   This chart can help with fungicide management decisions.  Highly recommended to fungicide corn with current weather conditions….and with Tar Spot now fully in the area.
• See attachments on disease and fungicide management – Maximizing Foliar Fungicide in Corn
• 2026 Corn Foliar Fungicide Efficacy  This attachment shows efficacy and posted residuals by active ingredient.

Water Management

With the recent rainfall over the past two weeks, 2026 has just now reached normal precipitation for the year.  Heading into mid-June we were still 4+ inches short of normal, however, we are up 200% over normal since then, which brings us close to the norm….and the rains have allowed for good penetration and fill into the second and third foot of the rootzone.

Below are some key water management tips to keep in mind:

• The greatest yield loss from moisture stress occurs in the period two weeks prior to two weeks after pollination.  For the next two weeks, the corn crop will be at its peak water usage, with ET rates of .30+ inches per day – higher when temps are in the mid-90’s, and higher yet when combined with low humidity….lower ET rates under cool and cloudy conditions.
• ET rates over the past two weeks have been slightly below average…. .20-.23/day depending upon temperatures, etc.  However, we are reaching peak water use in corn, and with the potential higher temps forecasted out two weeks, it will be important to stay on top of overall water needs by the crop, as ET rates will move to .30+ through the next few weeks.
• At present, we are seeing fairly good root depth according to the soil moisture probes….sandier soils are 20-28″, very similar to last year, and heavy soils are 24-36+”, depending upon plant date, conditions and soil type.  Remember that maximum plant height and root depth are achieved once the plant tassels.  It does appear that plant height will be taller than last year….also hoping that rooting depth and root volume will be greater than last year.

Insect Update

Western Bean Cutworm egg masses should begin to be found in sandy fields this next week.  They are just starting to fly.

Keep these tips in mind over the next few weeks:

• To scout for this insect, check the sandier fields first and look on the upper side of the leaf for a white, or purple, egg mass.  These will be found on the upper 1/3 of the plant.
• We will again have pheromone moth traps located west of Elgin.
• Treat when the fields are 95% tasseled.  Use high rates (5-6oz) of a Capture-like product to give you 3-4 weeks of residual control.
• WBC are attracted to those fields that are closest to tasseling, so this means the later planted and later silking fields have the highest potential for infestations.  Cool conditions will delay and extend their flight, so what may appear low numbers now can pickup in two weeks, which is why we recommend the extra residual.
• Once a field has been tasseled, any egg masses that hatch will see the larvae move straight to the ear tip, so treatment soon after tasseling is critical.
• AML versions of Pioneer hybrids offer control of WBC/Corn earworm.  No need to treat these hybrids for WBC – these include P05081AML,P14830AML, & P2042AML and Enlist hybrids that end with PCUE behind the hybrid number.

Corn Rootworm

Adult beetle emergence will begin soon….and will continue over the next few weeks.  Monitor your continuous corn acres for adult beetle populations to:

• Prevent high numbers interfering with pollination through silk-clipping.  Males emerge first.
• Help with rootworm control in your continuous corn acres.  Strongly recommended to use Steward insecticide (by FMC) for control of adult beetle populations to help with next year’s control of rootworm.  This product has shown excellent results for both kill and residual, which can be upwards of 30 days.  As far as timing for control, it is best to wait until there are pregnant females present.  The new Vorceed CRW technology has been shown to give 98% beetle control.  We will watch for this trend over next few weeks.
• We are seeing some rootworm feeding from larvae in a few fields.  This may contribute to increased chances for root lodged corn under saturated soil conditions.

Dectes Stem Borer.…Be aware that adult beetles have been emerging over the past week and have been migrating into area soybean fields….much as they have in the past few years….no treatment guidelines at this time….just more for you to be aware and watch as the year progresses.

European Corn Borer….Much of the conventional yellow and white corn hybrids and popcorn have seen low-to-moderate levels of ECB larvae.  If you have not treated yet, recommended that you treat ASAP.

Soybean Development

• Most of the soybeans in our area are at R1 (Beg flower) to R2 (Full flower).  Most fields are finally coming around and growing.  No-till and later-planted fields have been slow to ‘get going’ this year, as normal….
• Soybeans should be nodulating heavily at this stage.   At the beginning of the reproductive stage, soybeans will still put on 50% of their vegetative growth.
• Crop water use in soybeans starts to increase rapidly at full flower, peaks at R3 and will stay high through R6, or full seed  Flower stage is usually the time when the soybean plant begins to pull from the deeper root zones….we usually see this happening on the soil moisture probes in the area.  Heavy soil moisture profiles are full enough that very limited irrigation will be needed on soybeans through July, unless temps turn off hot.  Sandy soils will need monitoring as area rains have been somewhat spotty over the past two weeks or so, and they may need a shot of irrigation to keep growth moving.
• We continue to see a yield response from a fungicide application in soybeans, either at R1/R2 for white mold (applications of which should be going on the first planted, and going on this upcoming week for later planted acres) and/or later at R3 (pod set) stage of growth.  Environmental conditions over the next two months will determine disease incidence and overall level of disease infestation….so far, we have had weather conditions conducive for higher outbreaks of disease, both soybeans and corn.  Just a reminder, keep an eye out for Frogeye Leaf Spot  in soybeans as not all fungicides control this disease.  This disease is normally not an issue in our area and many varieties have very good tolerance to this disease.  See attachment for more info on this disease….Frogeye Leaf Spot in Soybeans
• Recent weather conditions have increased the potential for White Mold. For White mold management see attachment:  Managing White Mold in Soybeans  Highly recommended to apply a fungicide for white mold to most acres, especially those fields with a history of white mold in the past.  Apply Viatude, Aproach, or Delaro for best control (really, ONLY control)….for white mold….2026 Foliar Fungicide Efficacy in Soybeans

Thank you for your business!!   Please let us know any questions or concerns you may have!!

Starman Seed & Supply, Inc.

2026 planting season and early conditions….some same (dry) as 2025….some different (colder) than 2025….

TOPICS FOR THIS UPDATE:

• Temperatures & GDU accumulation
• Planting conditions, emergence & Frost….
• Insect Update

TEMPERATURES & GDU ACCUMULATION:

As of May 13th, we have accumulated approximately the following for Growing Degree Units in 2026:

Planting Date     GDD’s2026          Average GDD          Departure from average            2025

April 16                  242                            215                                 +27                                296

April 21                  199                            185                                  +14                               241

April 25                 139                             156                                 -17                                228

May 1                     130                            116                                  +14                               183

PLANTING CONDITIONS AND EMERGENCE….

To summarize:

The map below puts this in perspective:

This map is showing average temperature rank by climate district from April 23-May 4 for 2026.  Note that NE Nebraska climate district shows we were the 35th coldest during this period in the last 134 years….much cooler during this time period in 2026 than last year.  In fact, the week of April 26th to May 2nd saw a total of 12 GDU’s accumulated (4 days had zero) with soil temps getting into the upper 30’s by the end of that week and at least three frost/freezes over this time period. Big reason why we were trying to hold off on planting after April 25th.  While this does not seem to be a big impact on final plant stands, it will lead to some reduction in overall stands and impact how even of emergence we will see on these planting dates….for both corn and soybeans. The early planted crops, for the most part, look good as they got germinated in warm soils….the last planted crops will also be germinating in warm soils.

Dry soils are also playing a role here.  See map below:

This map is showing average precipitation rank by climate district for the past 30 days from April 12 to May 12.  Note that NE Nebraska has had the 10th driest year out of the past 134 years….we are seeing historical drought conditions this planting year, much like last year.

These two photos show some of what is happening from the dry conditions and low humidity we are experiencing.  Photos from soybean field planted 5/1 in sand.

FROST….

However, the first planted beans were not immune to some freeze damage.  See photos below.

The first photo is from a field planted 4/16-17, with low elevation.  Note that the three plants have varying stages of frost damage…plant on left was frozen, but not dead and has new growth….middle plant is dead….plant on the right slightly frosted with new growth.  This was common throughout this field.  Second photo is from field planted 4/15-16 but sits on a higher elevation. Frost damage here as well, but limited to the unifoliate leaf that was emerging at that time.  Note the new growth starting.  Those plants showing new growth should be fine; however, we have seen plants like the one on the far left in the first photo, not come back quite like a normal plant, just ‘off’ a bit.              Some fields may show 1-5% stand loss from the multiple freezes we experienced, especially in the bottom areas.

Early planted corn also had leaf damage from the freezes.  See photo below:

This field was planted on 4/14-15…a lot of plants had the emerging first growth killed by the freeze, however, note the new growth coming through (still tangled a little in the dead tissue, but will break free). No issues here.

These two photos are from the same field as the frost picture above, planted 4/14-15.  The field has nice stand of 32-34k, but they show some of the effects from our dry spring and winter….harder soil conditions in many spots, leading to less than 2″ planting depth….a few delayed emerging plants from the dry conditions and less than ideal seed-soil contact….

Bottomline, the 2026 planting season has seen weather extremes in temperatures and dry conditions, all of which are creating challenging conditions for quick & even emergence, for both corn and soybeans.

Herbicide Activity….

Good weed control starts with good residuals…AND keeping them in soil solution is an key part of how well they perform.  Unfortunately with no rainfall, it will be important to water these fields on a regular basis (once-a-week minimum) to get adequate performance.  In those years we saw pre’s work the best is when we were getting .30 every other day…

INSECT UPDATE

So far not seeing much in the way of insects causing an issue with emergence….some seedcorn maggot feeding in a few soybean fields.

Please reach out to us with any questions and/or observations!  Stay Safe!

Starman Seed & Supply, Inc.