Weather has been favorable. Crops look good, would look better if it was two weeks earlier. Soybeans look good but waterhemp is emerging in some fields. Be careful of restrictions- there are limitations.

Driving around Warren County, a large percentage of corn is tasseling. Soybean fields are averaging R2/R3. We’ve had about average rainfall for the area I’m in and just keeping an eye out for diseases as the weather has remained humid with cooler overnights. Quite a number of crop dusters have been out and about around the county.

The cooler, wet weather is conducive for disease production. Monitor for disease species and sign of progression. Many fields are close to optimum fungicide application timing.

Goodfield had 3.6” of rain over the last week. Ponds are once again visible in the fields. The moisture will help alleviate the Dicamba damage on the soybeans locally. Lower temperatures this week will give some added relief. The moisture and low temps may set up for a conducive disease environment. Scout fields and evaluate disease progression.

Woodford County is not in the drought monitor but could still use a rain. Farmers continue to spray when conditions are allowing. Check those crop height/growth stage restrictions on the herbicide labels. Spraying late may damage yields and cause regrets come fall.

Corn stages range from VE- V7, with bean stages similar. Most corn herbicide applications are complete, and side dress nitrogen is almost completed. Little crop response has been noted, and corn is looking good but could use a drink.

More rain this week. Progress was slow.

Minimal planting is still happening in some areas along with some out spraying. The warmer weather has helped to dry things up but a rain on 6/5 may leave some ponding depending on individual field characteristics. Both corn and soybean growth stages are varied across the county but seeing an increase in weed pressure overall.

Conditions this week were similar to last, with scattered showers and plenty of sunshine. The most mature soybeans I scouted this week were at V3, and the most mature corn was at V6. I’m starting to see more Amaranthus spp. popping up in fields.

It’s a race to finish planting before the forecasted rain.

Last weekend, our region received approximately an inch of rain, with some areas getting 1.5 to 2 inches. With the sun and warm temps, we could use more rain to help the beans. The corn was planted on May 6th and the beans on May 18th. Weeds are starting to break through the PRE herbicide, but there are no signs of disease or insect pressure.

Planting is back in action across the county with some replants due to soil crusting. Some fields did see some extent of wind damage from a storm 5/24 but are bouncing back. Most fields are looking around V2-V6 for corn and VC-V2 for soybeans depending planting date.

Field conditions have dried out over the past week, and with a lot of sunny days, many were out planting. Around 80% of fields have been planted in Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties. Corn that was planted earlier is at VE-V1, and soybeans are at VE-VC.

It’s been a wet spring thus far in West Central Illinois. Fields were starting to dry out over the weekend but scattered storms throughout the week have slowed progress once again. Earlier planted fields are looking better while some later plantings may show some emergence issues.

Field work is just starting back up after drying enough to spray. I refuse to look at the forecast.

Those that were able to plant early are seeing emergence. The recent wet weather has created some planting challenges as farmers are trying to work around the stormy weather. The recent rain in west central Illinois has resulted in some standing water in fields and muddy field conditions.

Some farms have been able to take advantage of dry pockets to get out in the field. Fields are still pretty wet this week from multiple rain events but warmer temperatures will be helpful in drying out.

Planting and field work continues where conditions allow. Slowly chipping away at getting the 2024 crop in the ground.

It’s raining again. Will take some heat and wind to dry out. Tillage and spraying in the area this week. Some fields planted. South of Bloomington has soybeans up. Farther north they’ve missed the rains and are further along. Wheat looks good in the area.

I’ve seen one field of corn in Tazwell County with the end rows taken off. Moisture test in early planted corn in McLean County at 20%. Harvest is slow between Springfield and Jacksonville. Farmers are trying to be patient and allow field drying but it is slow. Many harvesting just enough to stay with drying capacity. Yields 10-30% off normal. Older farmers who have farmed through 1988 are amazed at yields on 10” of rain that mostly came in 2 storms. Input prices for 2024 look better. 2023 will be the first break even year for some younger farmers.

Woodford County, IL is currently not on the drought monitor for the week. Most of the rest of Central IL is abnormally dry.
Combines are rolling about an hour south of here. Some fields gave up on life as opposed to maturing.

Crops in McLean and Woodford County faired better in last week’s heat than other areas. Moisture would be helpful to get through next week’s return of heat.

Crops in areas with less moisture haven’t matured as much as give up on life after the heat. Shanks have weakened, dropping ears, and ceasing grain fill. Black layers showed up in fields unexpectedly.

Soybeans have potential. Lots of pods, mostly 3 beans each.
Corn is very variable. You name it- it’s out there. Great ears. Short ears. Normal ears. Unpollinated ears. No ears. Tipped back ears. Next week and the high temperatures are a concern. The corn has been repeatedly stressed. Will it actually reach maturity or just up and die? Probably some of both.

Traveled through eastern North Dakota, east central Minnesota and north central Iowa this week. Definitely started where it was the worst and drove to where it was better. North Dakota has the gray shade of death to the corn. Soybeans are ankle to shin high, not a lot of nodes to pull normal yields. Normal yields are 40-50 bushels per acre. More sunflowers around Prosper than I’ve seen in several years. East central Minnesota was greener but very uneven corn fields. Beans were about knee high and with the rain last weekend have some hope. This area went from heading towards preventative plant to planted very quickly this spring. Expecting 30-40 bushels below APH on corn. North central Iowa has had the best looking crop I’ve seen this week. Could use some rain to finish well. Expecting a good crop for corn and beans but not great.

Many corn fields are pollinating in the area. A few of the later planted fields are very uneven.
Soybeans are closing the rows in most fields. Some taller waterhemp above the canopy.
Wheat was harvested this week.

Since June 29th, our area has received about 7 inches of rain; however, we are still in a moderate drought. Crops are in the reproductive stage. Corn height in fields is all over the place.

Corn is tasseling in some fields. Uneven fields have a few tassels here and there. Judging the appropriate time for fungicides in the uneven fields will be an issue. In my opinion later is better than earlier. Be judicious on additives with the fungicides which can cause more issues with crop injury.
Soybeans are getting closer to closing the canopy. The recent rains will germinate some weeds. Read the label before attempting late herbicide applications.

This week started with drought and wildfire smoke and ended with ponds in the field. Southern Woodford County had 2.5 inches of rain over two separate storms a few hours apart. The first storm was in the overnight hours and had small hail. The second storm was an intense downpour. We were lucky to not have damage to the crop in this area. Next week will be focused on which weeds are germinating and what we can do about it. The herbicide options are limited and may or may not control the weeds emerging. Cultivation is an option in organic or later planted beans that are not close to the rows closing. Read the herbicide label for crop growth height and stage restrictions.

We received .3 inch of rain over the weekend – it was a welcomed rain but not nearly enough to make a dent in the drought.

Central Iowa corn looks good. Timely rains have been beneficial. Some unevenness on side hills but still a good color. Eastern Iowa has had insignificant rains. Areas of fields have given up. Soybeans are stalled out. Strip till potassium is holding better than broadcast.

Rain in the forecast this past weekend got our hopes up, but Mother Nature let us down again. Rain gauge registered less than tenth of an inch. Hoping it rains soon.

Corn is showing symptoms of stress due to the high temperatures and no precipitation the last three-four weeks. Beans were planted May 19th and have emerged. The beans have received no precipitation since planting.

The corn is not rolled, but still a bit spiked and sad looking. Soybeans look better except on the lighter soils and side hills. Not as dry as other places, but many fields around this area were planted later due to excess moisture early on in the southern part of Woodford County. Noticed a soybean field being planted on I-74 in McLean County this week also. The torrential downpours this week were scattered. Here we had 0.04 inches. Could use a rain, but the cooler nights are helping this crop to hang on.

Top inch of soil is dry but still moisture just below. Cool nights are helpful in conserving moisture but not great for plant growth. This next week will be challenging in many places with dry soil and incoming heat wave.

Corn is coming along, beans are being planted today (May 19th.) A good rain is needed.

Dropped the kids off at school and ventured into the adjacent soybean fields. Progress looks much better on the field on the north side of the road from last week. Coming out of their funk.
Many fields in southern Woodford County have crops up. Corn is VE and soybeans are V1-2. Some organic fields are yet to be planted as are the pumpkin fields. Crops just to the west in Tazwell County are farther along.
It’s raining again today.

Corn is up. This field was planted on May 4th and had about an inch and a half of rain after it was planted followed by warmer temperatures.

Fields near school pickup. 2 tenths of rain this morning. Need sunshine.

Several big storms over the weekend. Some ponding prior to the last one, expect more now. Tree damage, power outages, possible other damage.