Talon Becker 
IL Extension
tbecker2@illinois.edu

Talon Becker 
IL Extension
tbecker2@illinois.edu

TALON BECKER UPDATES

Region 5 | September 9, 2023 | Champaign

Talon Becker
tbecker2@illinois.edu

Caption: Earlier maturity soybeans senescing, later maturity soybeans still green. Champaign County, Sept. 9, 2023.
Caption: Corn at R5 (dent), but varying stages of dry matter accumulation (milk line). Champaign County, Sept. 9 2023.
Caption: Corn starting to reach R6 (physiological maturity/black layer). Champaign County, Sept. 9, 2023.
SYNOPSIS

The corn and soybean crop in northeast Champaign County is continuing to progress towards maturity. Average temperatures have started to decline, but many fields of corn and soybean are either at, or more commonly, approaching physiological maturity. Some later season soybeans are still very green across their canopy, but those fields are generally at or very near R6 (full seed). Approximately 10% of soybean fields I saw in my tour through that portion of the county were in the later stages of R7 (beginning maturity), while most were at R6 (full seed) and early R7. A similar proportion, although probably a bit lower than 10%, of corn fields appeared to be at R6 (physiological maturity/black layer) based on field checks and a windshield survey.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THIS COUNTY?
Mildly Dry (soil is drier than normal, plant growth may have slowed)
IF CONDITIONS ARE ON THE DRY END, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING US DROUGHT MONITOR CATEGORIES BEST FIT CURRENT CONDITIONS
Near Normal (Dnada)