Figure 1. Lower leaves of corn still mostly disease-free this week. (Source: Nathan Mueller)

Figure 2. Potato leafhopper injury to new seeded alfalfa near Snyder. (Source: Nathan Mueller)

Figure 3. Dryland milo field in west central Nebraska, where soil moisture profile is mostly depleted. (Source: Tyler Williams)

Nathan Mueller, Extension Educator in Dodge County: Most corn is silking and soybeans are setting pods this week. Replanted corn has reached the V9 growth stage and soybeans the V4 growth stage. Corn leaf diseases (gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, and common rust) are still at low incidence and severity. Corn hybrids vary in their susceptibility to these fungal diseases so check with your corn seed representative to prioritize fields to scout. One corn field showed noticeable lesions on the upper leaves from Goss's bacterial wilt, likely on a more susceptible hybrid.

Detasseling season is in full swing this week and some irrigation of seed corn and commercial corn has started. Some late-season nitrogen applications were made to some corn fields via highboys and fertigation. There has been some significant potato leaf hopper injury to alfalfa stands, especially on newly seeded fields. Potato leafhoppers generally cause economic injury to second and third cuttings. Treatment decisions are based on the numbers captured by a sweep net. Early second cutting can be the best management option. Late-emerging waterhemp has become a problem in some fields damaged by June hail storms, and a 2015 herbicide program to address added waterhemp pressure will be needed. Continue reading the expanded crop report at Crop Tech Cafe

John Wilson, Extension Educator in Burt County: Hailed fields and low areas that were flooded or where water stood still look bad, while other areas look pretty good. At least if it turns dry, we have a full soil profile, a luxury we haven't had for several years. In general, crops are behind normal. We're going to need a late fall for some of the crop to mature. The most surprising thing this week is I'm starting to see some young grasshoppers. Usually they don't like wet years.

Tyler Williams, Extension Educator in Phelps/Gosper Counties: Things have been dry for two to three weeks and most of the corn is silking and soybeans are in the flowering stage. Anything that didn't get hit with hail looks good, including the non-irrigated fields. Portions of central Gosper County missed out on the large rainfall amounts in June and are starting to show some stress. This dryland milo (Figure 3) is still green and is knee-high, but the soil profile is mostly depleted. This area was unable to recharge the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th foot, which is unlike other areas in the county.

Karen DeBoer, Extension Educator in Cheyenne County: Wheat harvest has started in our area and should be in full swing as soon as the temperatures warm up. There are several custom harvesters in the area waiting to get started. Other crops are looking good and will benefit from warmer, drier conditions, too.

John Thomas, Extension Educator in Box Butte County: Wheat harvest should get underway middle of next week with the hot temperatures predicted. Some test cutting has been done in our area. Not much visible lodging at this point from wheat stem sawfly. As things really dry down the extent of sawfly damage will become more evident. The corn and dry edible beans are looking good. Everything needs some sun and heat to help the crops move along. Sugar beets are looking good with an average to above average crop predicted.

Gary Zoubek, Extension Educator in York County: The crops continue to make progress. Corn, soybeans, and grain sorghum are in many stages.  Early planted corn is sliking and the beans are at late R2 or early R3. Not much rain this past week. Soil moisture has been good to date. With the high temperatures predicted for the coming week, irrigators are now making their first or second rounds with the pivots.