The fact that Goss's wilt was a widespread corn disease in Minnesota in 2011 is broadly known.  The question of how much Goss's wilt will develop in 2012 is dependent in part on field and weather conditions. As of June 13, Goss's wilt had been confirmed over the previous week in several counties in Iowa and Nebraska. Thus it could also start to appear soon in Minnesota.

Indiana's forage crop yields are down and won't likely improve without decent rainfall in the near future, prompting a need for growers to take precautions to avoid further crop loss, says a Purdue University Extension forage specialist.

Forages initially were damaged during hard freezes in April and have struggled to yield amid the unrelenting hot, dry weather of May and June.

"Many producers have reported to me that their first cutting was reduced fairly substantially as compared with other years – down by 25 percent or more," Keith Johnson said.

I have been dreading writing this article. I was hoping rain might fall, but the forecast is not positive for the next 10 days. It is becoming clear that corn farmers in the southern four tiers of counties in Wisconsin might have to make the best of a bad situation.

Many areas of Pennsylvania are experiencing a severe drought due to the lack of rain since late May. Corn growth has stopped in many areas and in the worst areas corn fields are beginning to dry up. Other grain and forage crops are drought-stressed as well.

Farmers with drought-damaged cornfields could consider harvesting the crop for livestock feed to salvage some of its value and to help livestock producers supplement short forage supplies, says a Purdue Extension forage specialist.

Illinois and other major areas in the Midwest are watching thousands of acres of corn experience severe drought stress. Livestock managers are planning strategies to implement if timely rain does not arrive soon, according to Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois professor emeritus of animal sciences.

The fourth annual Grazing Seminar series will be held Friday, Oct. 5 at World Dairy Expo. Topics will include using automatic milking systems (robotic milkers) in grazing systems and balancing supplementation with high grain costs. A question-and-answer session with grazing experts from around the world will also be held.

A Texas AgriLife Extension Service entomologist at Fort Stockton warns alfalfa producers and those buying the forage to be on the lookout for blister beetles. “Recently, I’ve been seeing a fairly large outbreak of blister beetles in Reeves County,” said Mark Muegge. “The extent of this outbreak is unknown, but alfalfa producers need to keep an eye on it. "The outbreak could lead to statewide implications since alfalfa from west Texas is shipped all over.”