The Red River Farm Network Crop Tour found significant variability in the central and western North Dakota corn crop after heat and drought arrived at a critical stage of development. Pioneer Field Agronomist Larry Lunder said drought stress can increase the potential for stalk problems as the plant draws on its reserves to finish the crop. “It’d be a really bad year to leave things in the field too long because we could easily get lodging, breakage and things like that.” Unless unusual weather develops, Lunder expects the region’s corn crop to reach maturity, with an early harvest possible. “Monitor it. As soon as you can get it off, the better off you’ll be. The longer it stands, the more chances you take of having issues within that field.” Lunder hosted the first of the RRFN Crop Tour for 2026. Watch the video update from a very windy day in western North Dakota.
