Before joining Successful Farming full-time in 2024, she was a contributor covering the weekly USDA Crop Progress report. The Successful Farming® Crop Crew agronomists have spent the last 14 weeks reporting real-time, boots-on-the-ground insights as they support growers and scout fields. Highlights from the Crop Crew for the week that ended July 5 include reports of extreme weather and encouragement for growers to “not give up.”. Tar spot is present in over 20 counties in Nebraska, but at this point severity is still mild.. That’s from Brady Kappler, an agronomist in the state with the most counties reporting tar spot so far this season. Tar Spot Confirmed in 29 Nebraska Counties. That’s from Logan Dinkla, describing the impacts of the extreme heat in his part of Iowa during the week that ended July 5. That’s from Phil Krieg, highlighting the importance of scouting for disease threats at this point in the season. Illinois Agronomists Share One Word to Sum Up June’s Impact on Corn Crop.