Saturated soils and an overabundance of rain in Ohio in late June is causing numerous concerns in early July. Flooding and the resulting standing water led to "yellowing" of crops, disease, projected yield losses and weed pressure.

Farmers had an average of only 1.3 days for fieldwork the week ending June 28, according to NASS’ Great Lakes regional office. Little was accomplished, such as spraying, fertilizing or making hay. Hay quality is reported to be subpar because plants are too mature, and "prevented planting" acres are being registered throughout the state.

"Flooding and ponding have occurred across Ohio, especially in river bottoms and along streams," Peter Thomison, extension specialist in corn production, said in the June 30-July 6 Ohio State University Crop Observation and Recommendation Network newsletter (C.O.R.N.). "In some localized areas, this may have resulted in partial and complete immersion of corn in nearby fields, especially in low spots. When water drains off these fields, plants may be covered to varying degrees with a layer of mud."

Mud decreases photosynthesis and increases chances for bacterial disease, he said. "However, it’s unlikely that the photosynthetic capacity of leaves has been completely destroyed in plants covered with mud," Thomison said.

Extension specialist in corn and small grain diseases Pierce Paul noted northern corn leaf blight is being seen earlier than usual this year. The wheat crop also is being delayed, said Paul in a C.O.R.N. report with Laura Lindsey, soybean and small grains specialist.

"Wheat harvest will likely be late again this year. Physiologically, the crop is now ready for harvest in some fields, but will likely not be harvested until the first or second week of July or even later," they said.

Late harvest can result in problems such as mold growth, mycotoxin accumulation, test weight reduction and sprouting. "To minimize grain quality losses, it is best to harvest wheat on the first dry-down. Harvesting at a slightly higher moisture level (18 percent, for example) may also be useful for minimizing quality losses, particularly those associated with sprouting and mold growth due to rainfall and harvest delay."