Farmers in the Eastern Midwest are wet while farmers in the Western half of the Midwest are struggling with heat and drought. After 5 years of hot dry summers, especially in July and August; farmers in the Eastern half of the country are getting a cool summer and plenty of rain. Crop scouts are now touring the country to determine corn and soybean yields. The eastern half has to scout a flooded area with record rainfall amounts, downed corn, and standing water from central Illinois into eastern Ohio. The western half scouts crops that have had very little moisture for most of the summer. The result is thinner cobs, lighter ears, and some yellow corn from denitrification (lack of N) in the east. The USDA national estimate for corn yield is 180.7 bushels average per acre across the nation. That is down 2.3 bushel from July and 5.8 bushel from last year’s record. About 61% of the corn is rated good to excellent, down 11 points from last year. Another 14% is rated poor to very poor. ...

  Biochar is a fine-grained, porous, charcoal-like substance produced by heating organic plant or animal matter (biomass) in a zero- or low-oxygen env ironment. This chemical decomposition process is called pyrolysis. Unlike regular charcoal, which is primarily produced to be burned as fuel; biochar is created for agricultural enhancement and long-term carbon storage. Biochar is made from wood chips, crop residues (like corn cobs), forestry waste, and animal manure. The biomass is sealed inside a container and heated to high temperatures, usually between 750°F and 1300°F. Because oxygen is absent, the material cannot catch fire or turn to ash. Instead, it breaks down into energy-rich gases and a highly stable, solid carbon structure. Biochar is great for enhancing soil. The microscopic, sponge-like structure of biochar acts as a physical filter that catches and holds moisture in the soil. For nutrient storage, biochar prevents fertilizer runoff by trapping essential minerals and ma...

  Smoke from over 830 Canadian wildfires continue to cause hazy skies, poor air quality and breathing health concerns for those most vulnerable, especially in Northern Ohio, Northern Indiana, and Michigan. While the worst air quality concerns occurred 2-3 weeks ago, there is still an Air Quality Alert for this area. The smoke contains many fine particles which get in the lungs and exacerbate breathing problems. Elderly people, children and those suffering from any type of illness need to stay vigilant. The hazy skies and campfire-like smell may make the sunrise and sunsets more colorful, but they are dangerous for affected individuals. For these individuals; limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, monitor the air quality index and monitor your breathing. Consult a doctor if experiencing difficulty. With the recent rains and weather patterns, the smoke and haze may start to diminish. The effect of the Canadian wildfires on crop development has been minimal. The weather has been...

  Waterhemp is a tall summer annual and a common Midwest weed, thriving in wet areas but is adaptable to various conditions. It is an invasive weed in both corn and soybean fields. Yield losses may range from 11% to 75%. It has separate male and female plants, producing over 1 million seeds per plant. Waterhemp seedlings have light green to red-pink stems. Cotyledons (first leaves) are oval to lance-shaped, hairless, red-green above, and dark red below. The first true leaves are oblong, dark green, shiny on top, reddish-pink underneath, and shallowly notched at the tip. Mature plants can be 2.5–12 feet tall, upright and branching. Waterhemp has a deep taproot with secondary fibrous roots, competing with corn and soybean crops for water and nutrients (Cornell University). The pigweed family includes waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, and redroot pigweed species. Palmer amaranth has longer leaf stalks than the leaf blade, broader leaves, sometimes with white chevron markings while waterhemp...