Devon Murray

What's up with yields this year?? Four year growing season snapshot for Northern IA. Some things that stand out for 2026 compared to other 3 years... Tied for shortest # of grainfill days. Highest average overnight low. Highest # of nights above 70 degree low. Lowest amount of solar radiation. HUGE! Warmest night low 7 days prior thru 7 days after pollination. Warmest daytime high temps 7 days prior thru 7 days after pollination.' Warmest temp average 7 days prior thru 7 days after pollination. Highest number of days above 90 degrees 7 days prior thru 7 days after pollination. Wettest season rainfall... by a LOT. Many locations in area I cover were over 40", some over 50". HUGE! I think it is safe to say this sums up the huge differences in yields. Rainfall totals and length of soil saturation are a strong correlation as one moves from east to west. The fact the crop that was/is out there for going thru all of this is quite impressive. A testament to much improved management of growers, equipment technology and genetics. Huge thanks to Andrew Schneider, Pioneer Product Agronomist for running the data!!

Why is the outside pass of a corn field yielding so much more than the second pass? Have communicated frequently this grain fill season on low solar radiation & impacts on yield & stalk quality/plant intactness. Many have commented about the huge yield differences on outside pass & the next one in. Example from a customer in NE Delaware County. Outside pass over 30 bushels better than next one in. The first few rows got the extra solar radiation being no crop was next to them. From July 20th on, only 13 days with normal or above solar radiation... with many days well below average. For those with solar panels, summer of 2026 was far below normal electrical production

How much are we losing? Graphic shows yield loss in killing frost at "dent" stages. Won't lose all of this if don't make it to Sunday, a large chunk could be realized in rapid death Ex 1/4 milk line (R5.25) has 25-35% loss may b possible 2 lose half, 12-17% in extreme situations

Pre Pro Farmer Tour w/Pioneer: This week Pioneer reps will b out in customers fields ahead of Pro Farmer Tour 2 capture data points 2 share w/customers. Take your own & complete the data sheet w/ pic of sheet/ears/field & u will be entered for a chance on 2 bags of seed for 2024!

As fungicide apps get going next week, b sure 2 check water pH & lowered if necessary. Chart below shows how pH can DRASTICALLY impact the half life. pH of 7shows if the solution is in a tank for 3 hours, you have half the AI left when you mixed it!! waterresources.ces.ncsu.edu/…