By 1808Delaware
A familiar August tradition unfolded once again as the 2025 Ohio Crop Tour took to the roads in early August, bringing a fleet of agronomists, farmers, and media crews to corn and soybean fields across the state. Organized by Ohio Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net, the tour split into a north and south leg, each covering dozens of fields in a fast-paced two-day scouting effort.
The mission was clear: provide Ohio’s farmers and agribusiness leaders with an up-to-date, in-field look at the season’s crops—complete with yield estimates, disease and pest assessments, and notes on crop maturity—well ahead of harvest.
North Leg Starts in Morrow County
The northern team began in Morrow County, traveling through multiple counties and noting a range of growing conditions. While corn maturity was advancing nicely and disease pressure remained generally low, scouts did find some Western Corn Rootworm beetle feeding on silks.
The Ohio Country Journal reported on Days 1 and 2 of the north leg, which included Delaware County. That coverage can be read here: https://ocj.com/2025/08/north-leg-of-the-2025-ohio-crop-tour/
Delaware County Corn: Promising Numbers with Some Leaf Blight
On the last stop of Day 1, sponsored by Ohio Field Leader, the group rolled into Delaware County to find fields that looked poised for strong production. The corn here had finished pollination and showed ears averaging 16 rows around with 36 kernels per row, along with average kernel depth. Plant populations stood at 33,000 per acre. Disease presence was moderate, with light tar spot but more noticeable Northern and Grey Leaf Blight. Even so, scouts projected a yield potential of 224 bushels per acre, provided favorable conditions continue through the finish.
Soybeans: Clean, Canopy-Strong, and High Yield Potential
The Delaware County soybeans drew positive reviews. With an average of 3-5 pods per node, 3-4 beans per pod, and an impressive canopy height of 38-40 inches, the field showed excellent promise. Scouts noted virtually no disease pressure, although grasshopper feeding and a few water hemp plants were observed. Node spacing measured 2.5-3 inches, leading to a projected yield of 65+ bushels per acre.
Purpose and Broader Context
Beyond county-level insights, the Ohio Crop Tour serves as a mid-season reality check for farmers. By collecting data from multiple sites in quick succession, the tour offers a benchmark for yield expectations and a chance to discuss management priorities before the combines roll.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Pro Farmer Crop Tour—spanning August 18-21—will build on these state-level efforts, covering about 2,000 fields across the Midwest. With Ohio as one of the key stops, it will combine local detail with a broad regional picture of the nation’s grain belt.
As August marches on, all eyes will remain on weather, pest pressure, and grain fill progress to see whether the early optimism from the Ohio Crop Tour holds true through harvest.
