Stop 5 Linn County, IA

We began day two 35 miles North of Cedar Rapids IA. We met with the folks from Premier Grain Farm for about two hours to get a "local" flavor of this corn crop. The first field we looked at was planted April 12. The population was 36,400 and it was V11-V12 corn. The tassel was down just two to three leaves so this should pollinate next week. This area of Iowa is dry but not droughty in anyway. The early planted corn looks awesome. We drove a few miles north and looked at a couple of fields planted in the first half of May. These fields had lower populations and lower yield potential TODAY. They could still yield close to normal 175-185 with good weather from here on out. Overall we would rate this area an 8-9 in condition. Again special thanks to Charlie, Matt and Dan for taking time to visit with us.

Stop 4 Johnson County, IA

This stop was 10 miles south of Iowa City at 7:45 pm and still 85 degrees. The corn was V5-V6. The crop looked good from the road but upon further inspection we found that there had been emergence issues. This caused the population to drop down to 27,468. The field had adequate moisture but like every field we saw today, a rain would be welcome. We would rate this field as a 7 only due to the low population not due to crop stress.

That concludes today's stops. Now off to find some local food! It's been a long day but a short drive....only 330 miles today.

Stop 2. Knox County, IL

Our second stop was in central Knox County at 4:30. It was 90 degrees and slightly more humid. The corn field was corn following corn. The plants showed no visible stress. The field had received 2 inches of rain over the past two weeks. The population was 34,300 and the crop was at V9-V10. The tassel was down about 6 leaves so it should pollinate in about 2 1/2 weeks. The soils are 200 plus bushel potential and our opinion was that this crop still held that potential at this time. We would rate this field as a 9+ for condition.

Stop 3 Henry County, IA

This stop was just south of Mt Pleasant, Ia. This was the poorest looking crops last year and held true to form this year. The crop was uneven and between V2-V5. The population was 29,040. This area appeared to have significant rainfall soon after the corn was planted. Several fields in the area had some replanted corn. The soils on this farm rate at about 109 bushels per acre for corn. I would rate this corn a 6 for condition.

Stop 1 Piatt County IL

Our first stop was 20 miles west of Champaign. The field was corn following soybeans. Our stop was around 2:30 in the afternoon. It was 92 degrees and the corn leaves were rolling. The plant population was 30,748 and the growth stage was between V9 and V10. This field will tassel in the next two weeks. The soil in the area is 200 bushel yield potential ground. I would rate it as a 9 for yield potential today, but more rain is needed soon to reach that potential.

T minus 5 Eastern Illinois

I started the morning in southern Vermilion county. The area has only received 3.1 inches of rain since March 1. The corn was planted in early April. The average population was 34000 and the stand was near perfect. The corn was 9-10 collars and chest high. The tassel was just five leaves down. The leaves were not rolled as it was in the low 70's. Soybeans in the area looked like the populations were erratic mostly due to moisture stress.

The next stop was around noon in central Iroquois county east of Watseka. This is sandier soils. The area received about 6-8 inches of rain on the first Sunday in May. The corn is showing it. Several areas or replanted corn and several areas of nitrogen stressed crops. The temperature is up to 81 degrees and there are leaves rolling in the stressed areas of the fields. Populations are anywhere from 36,000 down to 26,000. The corn is between V4 and V5. This area needs rain soon!

7 days and counting!

We leave Champaign one week from today. Our route of nearly 1,600 miles includes 14 plus crop stops, a couple of grower visits, a couple of end users visits, a college world series game and a visit to a Guinness world record site (to be discussed at a later date).

We have a couple of sponsors this year. Special thanks goes out to Andersons Agvantage Agency and Precision Agronomics for helping out with the cost of the trip. $3.50 gas and hotel rooms eat through anyone's budget. Watch next week as we link to a daily video!

I will kickoff later this week the "pretour" with a post from a couple of stops in East Central Illinois. These areas are in mild drought to very moist (having received 8 inches of rain in early May). Mostly this will give me time to test the technology and be sure that our "live blogging" system is going to work.

Invite your friends and collegues to follow along as we document the Western Cornbelt next week!