By Dusty Sonnenberg and Joel Penhorwood, Field Leader is a project of the Ohio Soybean Checkoff

The 2026 Field Leader Crop Tour is underway, Sponsored by Field Leader a project of the Ohio Soybean Checkoff. The four-day crop tour will cover roughly 40 counties across the Buckeye State. This article will be updated continuously as county results are gathered.

Summaries of the first two days from the northern counties will be presented at the Ohio Soybean Hometown Tour at Reinhard Farms, and the second two days in the southern counties will be presented at the Hometown Tour stop at Bluegrass Farms. Click here to register.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

Day 4: South Leg

Perry County

Corn

Our final field of the 2026 Crop Tour is fairly indicative of the southern leg’s theme – good looking, fairly uniform fields with good yields. This field was very thick with good population which helped to boost the yield estimation to 213 bushels per acre.

Soybeans

An extremely thick field of R5 soybeans where the high population could be holding back its yield potential. 40-inch tall beans with no visible disease pressure and some grasshoppers. 2 pods per node with 3 beans per pod. 40-50 bushels per acre estimate.

Muskingum County

Corn

A field with a lot of potential, but unfortunately the population isn’t there. Some Gray Leaf Spot and weeds along the outer rows, but not much pressure overall. Ears were good, but the doubles and skips led the yield calculation to 170 bpa.

Soybeans

This young field was still flowing and has a long way to go from its current R4 stage. Planted mid-May, it had no disease and low insect pressure. Depending on the rest of the season, this field could be in the 40-50 bpa range.

Licking County

Corn

This field was not quite as far along as many others we’ve seen, but will be entering dent sooner than later. A very clean field with high set ears. Great population, though some smaller ears with some tip-back. A few spots of corn smut observed. We have this field at 208 bushels per acre.

Soybeans

R5 field of soybeans that had the most lodging of any soy fields we’ve seen. Beyond that, a clean field with 3-inches between nodes, 3 pods per node, and 3 beans per pod. Overall good with yield expected to be 50-60 bpa.

Fairfield County

Corn

A field of R4 beans that featured some Gray Leaf Spot, along with skinny stalks and some purple leaves showing stress and nutrient deficiency. Some down corn noted and wildlife damage. Plenty of tip-back in this field that brought down its count along with a lower population. As a result, population of 177 bushels per acre estimate.

Soybeans

A nice field that has some tree trunks of soybeans with nodes having 5-6 pods per node. Very little disease or insect pressure. We expect 60+ bpa come harvest.

Pickaway County

Corn

This field has good potential as long as the stalks can stay strong through harvest. Good ears with many having 16-18 kernels around and averaging 37 rows. Moderate Gray Leaf Spot and noticed plenty of stem rot developing. No tip-back. Northern Corn Leaf Blight making itself known in the neighboring field. The disease keeps this fields overall rating back, but we still put the yield at an expected 223 bushels per acre.

Soybeans

Good, tall field of beans with a 43-inch canopy height and 2.25 inches between nodes. No disease, and light to moderate insect defoliation. Some variation between plants in amount of pods with plenty of pods the entire length of the stalk. An overall good field with yield estimate expected between 50-60.

Ross County

Corn

This good April 21 planted corn came in at a population of 31,500 and looks to be a clean field with solid ears. Great kernel depth and a good stand overall with just a small amount of Gray Leaf Spot. No pollination issues. An estimated yield of 213 bushels per acre.

Soybeans

This field of replanted soybeans was mostly clean with a 37-inch canopy height. No disease pressure and just a bit of insect feeding. 2.5 inches between nodes with several pods. A fine field overall that we guess to yield at about 55 bpa.

Fayette County

Corn

An excellent set of fields to start the fourth and final day of the Ohio Crop Tour. A solid population of 33,000 has this field of April 24th planted corn is high set with some firing at the bottom, but great ears that will be ready to harvest sooner than later. No notable disease, insect pressure, or tip-back. We calculate this field to yield 248 bushels per acre.

Soybeans

These April 14^th soybeans are the furthest along we’ve seen. Clean, tall, and heavily podded (to the top). 20-inch rows. 3-4 pods per node and 3 beans per pod. Overall an excellent field with an expected 60+ bushels per acre.

Waterways at this farm are immaculate.

Day 3: South Leg

Highland County

Corn

The least developed corn field of the south leg’s stops round out this team’s first day and the third overall day of the tour. This corn is in the blister stage and has a lot of road ahead of it. With that said, if it gets what it needs, the current count puts it at a yield estimation of 219 bpa. Planted on June 2 and too soon to tell at this point.

Soybeans

30-inch bushy beans in R5 are the hallmark of this excellent field. Tall at 40 inches, but no disease pressure and 2 inches between nodes with 3 pods per node and 3 beans per node consistently, we expect this field to be 60+ bpa.

Clinton County

Corn

This was a good and respectable corn field with little disease and fine population. Most sampled ears were 16 kernels around and averaged 34 in length. Plenty of tip back and some zippering was noted. Very little disease pressure and an excellent kernel depth put this yield estimate at 210 bushels per acre.

Soybeans

These R5/R6 beans were some of the furthest along we had today. Shorter at 28 inches, but putting plenty of energy into pods with 2 inches between nodes and 2-3 pods per node, with 3-4 seeds per pod. Some disease possibly starting to show on the uppermost leaves. We expect this field to yield above 60 bushels per acre.

Greene County

Corn

The yields continue to rise today. This 20-inch field of corn was overall good, but turned into great once we started looking at ears. Ears consistently gave us 18 to 20 around, and in the upper 30s for number of rows. An extremely good population brought the yield estimate to 266 bushels per acre.

Soybeans

These soybeans looked good from the road, but a consistently small pod size left the yield estimate in the lower end of the 40-50 bushel per acre range. 32-inch canopy height and about 3-inchtes between nodes.

Clark County

Corn

This was a surprising field as plenty of disease and lots of mold was evident throughout, but high population and consistently good ears brought this field to one of the highest yield estimates we’ve seen so far. 246 bushels per acre, but we are interested to see what the final number turns out here.

Soybeans

Early-planted soybeans planted April 8 that survived the frost. 35-inches tall with 2.5-inch node length. Podded fairly well with 2-3 beans per pod – branched out pretty good on the 20-inch rows. Overall clean field. R5 – finishing up seed fill. About 60 bpa estimate.

Champaign County

Corn

This field of corn had suffered major damage from this week’s storm systems, with an estimated 70% of the field down and hail damage throughout. Pollination issues and some disease throughout didn’t have this at the best field of the day at 186 bushels per acrea, and the heavy damage this week from Mother Nature has us curious what the final results will be.

Soybeans

This is a good field of soybeans with the expected yield to be 60+ bpa. Some Downy Mildew starting to show. Very little insect pressure. What brings these bushels up are the consistently thick podded soybeans.

Shelby County

Corn

A consistent corn field that was planted on April 11 had nice-sized ears with plenty of kernels. Lots of Gray Leaf Spot throughout the entire field. Good population and good ears with an average kernel depth estimation helped bring this estimate to 211 bushels per acre. Would not be surprised if that number varies once all is said and done.

Soybeans

This April 11 planted field ranks among the best beans seen so far in the trip. 35-inch canopy height with plenty of pods per node and consistent beans per pod. Very few empty pods with many having at least three beans per pod. As far as disease, some possible SDS found. 60+ bushels per acre.

Logan County

Corn

This corn is overall a very nice field, but slightly smaller ears and population keep the yield expectation at 182 bushels per acre. There is some disease in the field, including a small amount of tar spot, but not heavy by any means. Consistent and tall stand. The ears in this field did have the most 18 rows around of any field we’ve seen today.

Soybeans

Small beans with not a lot of pods leaves the yield estimate for this otherwise nice field at 40-50 bpa. We noted a bit of septoria leaf spot, but nothing major. Normal insect pressure.

Union County

Corn

Consistent, dark green stand of corn in R4. Clean from a disease pressure standpoint. Not much notable insect pressure, but we did find an ear worm in our sample. Average kernel depth with 16-18 rows around the ear. 191 bushels per acre is our estimate for this field.

Soybeans

This R5 field of soybeans has a 32-inch canopy and is fighting a touch of waterhemp. The edge of the field shows some nutrient or disease in slight yellowing of leaves. Minimal insect pressure and 4 pods per node with 3 beans per pod has it overall good rating and estimated 50-60 bpa.

Delaware County

Corn

We sampled two fields of corn here, across the road from each other. One field had lower population but was notable for many double-eared stalks with even some three and four-eared anomalies. Good kernel depth, with little disease, though moderate leaf damage closer to the ground in some areas – possible hail or mechanical damage earlier in the season. Overall, one field had an estimate of 210, with the other at 179, bringing the average across both to 194.5 bpa.

Soybeans

A good field of 15-inch soybeans at R5 with 40-inch canopy height. Average of two inches between nodes. Very little disease noted across field. Still flowering and putting on pods in some places. This field is estimated to be in the 50-60 bpa range.

Madison County

Corn

This April 22 planted field of corn is overall a good stand with adequate moisture, no firing, and very little disease pressure except for a little bit of Northern Leaf Blight. Out of the six ears pulled, some tip-back noted. Excellent kernel depth. Our estimate for this field is 214 bushels per acre.

Soybeans

A 30-inch field of soybeans to start off the south leg. This field was planted on April 15. 30-inch canopy height with fine distance between nodes, but pod counts weren’t astounding. Small amount of insect pressure. Canopy coverage was also not the thickest we’ve seen. Overall a good field of soybeans with our yield estimate around 50-55 bushels per acre.

Day 2: North Leg

Crawford County

This field was a short corn hybrid that was planted in mid-May. After planting the field needed to be rotary hoed to assist with emergence because of soil crusting. Currently the corn is at blister stage.

There was rust and insect feeding present but at low levels. The corn at this location was fair due to the stress that impacted the crop after planting.

The ears were on average 13 rows around with 36 kernels per row and had an average kernel depth at this point. The population was 30,000 plants per acre.

The final yield estimate is 151 bushels per acre.

The soybeans we evaluated were in 15- inch rows with an average pod count of four pods per node and two beans per pod. The nodes are approximately 2.5 inches apart.

The canopy height is 26 to 31 inches

The soybeans were planted on June 4^th, with a good stand and healthy plants. There was no disease pressure and low insect pressure. With September rains this crop could finish out nicely.

Overall a good soybean field with a yield estimate of 40 to 50 bushels per acre.

Morrow County

The corn crop is at the dough stage (R4), mid-way through the grain fill period. The field experienced both flooding and deer damage. The stand had skips and was not consistent.

There was moderate disease pressure along with some leaf shredding in parts of the field.

The ears were 14 rows around with 35 kernels per row and had an average kernel depth at this point. The population was 25,000 plants per acre.

The final yield estimate is 144 bushels per acre

The soybeans we evaluated were in 15- inch rows with an average pod count of three pods per node and three beans per pod. The nodes are approximately 1.5 inches apart.

The canopy height is 29 inches

The soybean field is uniform in height and stand. The crop is in the beginning seed stage (R5), with flowers still being set. With adequate rain to finish out the season, there is plenty of yield potential to go on these beans.

Knox County

The corn is in excellent condition with a uniform stand and no firing of the lower leaves. The ears do not have any tip dieback, unlike other locations, and no pollination issues. Overall, a good-looking field of corn at the dough stage.

Disease pressure was low but foliar disease was present.

The ears were 17 rows around with 36 kernels per row and had an average kernel depth at this point. The population was 31,000 plants per acre.

The final yield estimate is 223 bushels per acre.

The soybeans we evaluated were in 15-inch rows with an average pod count of three pods per node and three beans per pod. The nodes are approximately three inches apart.

The canopy height is 35 inches

The soybean field is at a healthy R5 with seed fill being closer to mature than other locations, and no new growth being put on. There was no disease pressure and low insect pressure.

Overall, an excellent soybean field with a yield estimate of 60+ bushels per acre.

Holmes County

The corn field was in fair condition, showing low fertility in parts of the field. The crop is at the dough stage and had some tar spot pressure as well as tip dieback.

The ears were 15 rows around with 30 kernels per row and had an average kernel depth at this point. The population was 30,000 plants per acre.

The final yield estimate is 159 bushels per acre

The Commitment of a dedicated OSA Member in a down pour working to serve the Ohio Farmer.

The soybeans we evaluated were in 15-inch rows with an average pod count of three pods per node and three beans per pod. The nodes are approximately three inches apart.

The canopy height is 40 inches

The soybean field was in excellent condition at a young R5, with new growth still occurring. The field was clean with no disease pressure and low insect feeding.

Overall, a beautiful soybean field with a yield estimate of 50-60 bushels per acre. Which is great for the area.

Day 2 Lunch for hard working people at the Hard Hat in Wooster!

Wayne County

The corn in this field was at R1 or silking stage that was late planted. There was minimal disease pressure with some northern corn leaf blight and gray leaf spot. At this stage there was some firing of the bottom leaves, which is yield limiting prior to grain fill.

The stand was uniform at about 33,000 plants per acre and the small R1 ears had 12 rows round. However, we could not give a yield estimate because of the stage of the corn.

The soybeans we evaluated were also young at beginning pod (R3). The field was weedier and had some nutrient deficiencies. There was minimal disease or insect pressure.

The canopy height is 33”.

The distance between nodes was 2.5”

The overall rating for this field is fair and an estimated yield of 40 bushels an acre.

Ashland County

The corn in this field was late planted and late pollinating. Gray leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight was present on the lower leaves but not severe.

The stand is uniform at about 33,000 plants per acre. However, we could not give a yield estimate because of the stage of the corn. The late planting reduced yield potential, but the stand was good and the plants were rather healthy. With timely rains throughout grain fill the crop still has potential.

The soybeans we evaluated were also young at R4 which is pod elongation. The field was clean and beautiful, just a young field. There were about two pods per node and two beans per pod.

The canopy was shorter at 23 inches.

The distance between nodes was 2.5”

The overall rating for this field is fair and an estimated yield of 40 bushels an acre.

Richland County

The corn in this field was tall, clean, and excellent! The ears were full, showing that there were no pollination issues.

The stand is uniform at about 33,000 plants per acre. The ears had an average of 15 rows around and 36 kernels per row. These ears had an average kernel depth.

The final yield estimate was 210 bushels per acre.

The soybeans were at R5 or beginning seed with some Japanese Beetle feeding and low disease pressure. An overall good clean field.

The canopy height was 33 inches, and the nodes were three inches apart.

The plants had many pods, with four to five pods per node and three bean pods. The estimated yield for this field was 50-60 bushels an acre.

Day 1: North Leg

Henry County

The corn in Henry County had an even stand and was very clean. It was in the R2 Blistering Stage.

No disease or insect feeding was noted.

The ears were 16 kernels around with 40 kernels per row and had an average kernel depth at this point. The population was 32,000 plants per acre.

The final yield estimate is 225 bushels per acre

The soybeans we evaluated in Henry County were in 15 inch rows with an average pod count of 2 1/2 pods per node and 2-3 beans per pod. The nodes are approximately 2 ½-3 inches apart. It was in the R3 growth stage

The canopy height is 37 inches

The soybean plant condition was

The beans were clean with no disease noted, and only a little insect feeding.

Overall, a very nice soybean field with a yield estimate of 55 bushels per acre.

Given recent rain and what is in the forecast, it should have adequate moisture in August. September weather and the potential for a late fall will determine if the corn and soybeans both meet their current potential.

Wyandot County

The corn conditions were favorable because of recent rain. The field was planted in mid-May with some replanted acres and was some of the earliest planted in the area.

Disease and insect pressure was not present.

The ears were 16 rows around with 35 kernels per row and had an average kernel depth at this point. The population was 40,000 plants per acre, due to replant.

The final yield estimate is 263 bushels per acre

The soybeans we evaluated were in 15-inch rows with an average pod count of three pods per node and three beans per pod. The nodes are approximately 2.5 inches apart.

The canopy height is 42 inches tall.

The soybean plant condition were optimal. This bean crop was the first planted in mid-May and is still putting on new growth, so it is adding yield potential with every new flower.

The disease and insect pressure was low but had Japanese Beetle and Grasshopper damage present.

Overall an excellent soybean field with a yield estimate of 58 bushels per acre.

Hardin County

It should be noted that the crop tour team had to wait out a torrential 1 1/2″ down pour before scouting the Hardin County Fields

The corn field observed was late planted, in the beginning of June. The stand was consistent, but the crop is young at blister stage.

Disease and insect pressure were not present; corn was clean with good plant health.

The ears were 16 rows around with 33 kernels per row and had an average kernel depth at this point. The population was 32,000 plants per acre.

The final yield estimate is 199 bushels per acre

The soybeans we evaluated were in 15-inch rows with an average pod count of two pods per node and three beans per pod. The nodes are approximately 3.5 inches apart.

The canopy height was 27-30 inches

The soybean field was planted in mid-April, and though the canopy was a little short and the beans per node were lower, the plants had exceptional branching. The branching gives opportunity for more nodes. The crop was still putting on new leaves and flowers.

The disease and insect pressure was low with some signs of spider mite feeding that was remedied by the recent rains and the 1.5 inches that came down while we were scouting!

Overall a good soybean field with a yield estimate of 60+ bushels per acre.

Auglaize County

The corn crop had a uniform stand and an early planting date of April 21^st , however, hot and dry conditions during pollination reduced kernel set showing jumbled kernels and tip dieback.

Disease pressure was moderate with gray leaf spot lesions throughout the canopy but there were limited symptoms of insect feeding.

The ears were on average 17 rows around with 28 kernels per row and had an average kernel depth at this point. The population was 28,000 plants per acre.

The final yield estimate is 185 bushels per acre

The soybeans we evaluated were in 15-inch rows with an average pod count of three pods per node and three beans per pod. The nodes are approximately 1.5 inches apart.

The canopy height is 45 inches

The soybean field had a uniform population and an early planting date of April 21^st. The pod fill is further along than other fields with similar planting dates.

The disease and insect pressure was low with light Japanese beetle damage.

Overall an excellent soybean field with a yield estimate of 60+ bushels per acre.

Great Lunch Stop at Generations Cafe in St. Marys!

Mercer County

The corn field was late planted and was between silking and blister stage. The field looked healthy barring light northern corn leaf blight pressure.

The ears were 16 kernels around with 34 kernels per row and had an average kernel depth at this point. The population was 29,000 plants per acre.

The final yield estimate is 186 bushels per acre

The soybeans we evaluated were in 15-inch rows, the crop is at the pod elongation stage (R4), so pods per node were difficult to assess. The nodes are approximately four inches apart. The larger node spacing shows a later planting date.

The canopy height is 42 inches

The soybean plant condition was overall good; the field was clean with low disease and insect pressure and good plant health. The late planting date just reduces the yield potential.

Overall, a good soybean field with a yield estimate of 50 bushels per acre.

Van Wert County

The corn conditions were optimal in this field. The corn was earlier planted and had the most filled out ears and had great conditions during pollination. The pitfall with this field was a significant amount of lodging.

There was limited disease or insect pressure.

The ears were 16 rows around with 38 kernels per row and had an excellent kernel depth at this point. The population was 29,000 plants per acre.

The final yield estimate is 220 bushels per acre

The soybeans we evaluated were in 15-inch rows with an average pod count of three pods per node and four beans per pod. The nodes are approximately three inches apart.

The canopy height is 42 inches

The soybean plant condition was ideal and was a beautiful field.

The field was free from insect, disease, and weed pressure.

Overall, an excellent soybean field with a yield estimate of 60+ bushels per acre.

Before moving on to evaluate the Putnam County fields, the team called for an ice cream break!

Columbus Grove – Dairy Whip (Yes, it is really that good!)

Putnam County

The corn in Putnam County looked good, however it had recent hail damage from a morning storm, and shredding of the top leaves.

This field was planted in April.

There was no disease or insect pressure noted. There was weed pressure from waterhemp.

There was a little pollination issue noticed on a few ears, but not widespread.

The corn had a population of 32,000 plants per acre. The ears were 18 kernels round and 30 kernels long with an average kernel depth.

The yield estimate of this field was 203 bushels per acre.

The Putnam County Soybeans were in the R4 growth stage. It was a good looking field, but young. It was planted June 3rd, and is a 3.5 bean.

It had a canopy height of 31 inches with node spacing of 3 inches and 3 pods per node and 2-3 beans per pod.

There was no disease pressure, and a little grasshopper damage noted.

It was a good looking field with a yield estimate between 40-50 bushels due to the late planting date and uncertainty of the weather to finish the crop. It has good potential.

Hancock County

The Hancock County Corn had a nice stand with good ear size. It was planted on April 14th.

There was tar spot noted, and some tip-back in most ears.

It is in the R4 – dough stage.

There were no insects noted.

The population was 34,000 plants per acre. The ear was 18 rows around, and 31 kernels long, with excellent kernel depth.

The yield estimate for this field is 237 bushels per acre.

The Hancock County Soybeans were beautiful. It was a clean and tall field, planted on April 15th. They were planted in 15 inch rows.

The canopy height was 46 inches. The nodes were 2 1/2 inches apart. There were 3 pods per node, and 3 beans per pod.

Overall it is an excellent field with a yield estimate of 60+ bushels per acre.

Seneca County

The Seneca County Corn was planted around May 20th. It was between R2-R3 (blister – milk stage).

There was some nitrogen deficiency noted on the leaves.

There was no disease or insect pressure noted.

Given the development, ear fill was difficult to determine, however those that were more mature had good fill.

It had a population of 29,000 plants per acre. The ears had 17 rows around, with 37 kernels long. It had average kernel depth.

Overall a good field of corn with a yield estimate of 215 bushels per acre.

The Seneca County Soybeans were planted May 15th. It was a uniform stand of beans. These were a 2.3 bean.

The beans had a canopy height of 33 inches.

The field has been dry, but receiving occasional rains.

There was a some Japanese Beetle feeding.

There was little to no disease pressure noted.

The plants had 3 pods per node and three beans per pod.

Overall it is a good soybean field, especially for the area, ad has a yield estimate of 50-60 bushels per acre.