It has been a wet and chilly week following the hot, dry weather last week. LaSalle County saw nearly 5 inches of rainfall, which has led to ponding in some of the more low-lying areas of fields. Nearly all corn acres are planted, with most corn around stage V1-V2. The most mature corn I observed was at V4. Around 50-60% of soy acres are planted/emerged, with earlier planted soy reaching V2. I have also noticed a small uptick in corn-on-corn in LaSalle County this year compared to previous.

While it may be tempting to mow ditches, roadsides, and fence rows now that vegetation is getting larger with the increased rainfall, it is nesting season for ground-dwelling birds like pheasants. Avoid mowing until August to give these birds time to nest, especially in areas with more diverse stands of grasses that provide more attractive habitat.

Rain the last few weeks has limited activity in many parts of LaSalle County, but this week it has dried out a bit and we’ve had perfect weather for planting. Most have completed any planned spring tillage, and since Monday (5/5/25) I have seen many planters/sprayers out in the fields. The research and demonstration plots at Illinois Valley Community College will be planted this Friday (5/9/25). I anticipate many growers will be taking advantage of the sunny, warm weather in the forecast for the next week to finish planting.

We have gotten quite a bit of rain in the last week in LaSalle County, with most areas seeing between 2-3 inches. Some areas in Bureau County received up to 4 inches of precipitation in the past week. With this, many fields have fairly saturated soils, but I have not noticed any ponding. Overall crops are looking very good and progressing well. I have not seen excessive disease or pest pressure in most fields. Corn is at R3 (milk), and soy is at R5 (beginning seed). Weeds are getting very large in some fields though (see image of waterhemp).

LaSalle County experienced a good amount of precipitation this week from the several large storm systems that moved through the area. Luckily, we have not seen any severe damage from these storms. I also have not noticed much standing water in fields. Corn at the IVCC + Extension plots is tasseling or getting close to it. Soybeans are flowering. The IVCC + Extension plots are a little behind in development compared to fields in a lot of LaSalle County. Corn in many fields is tasseling, silking, or has been successfully pollinated.

Like much of the state, in LaSalle County it has been hot with only one day in the past week having some scattered showers. There are some scattered thunderstorms in the forecast for next week, though. Overall crops are still looking good, but the soil is starting to dry out a bit on top. Corn at the IVCC research and demonstration plots is at V5, and soy is at V2/3 (both planted May 20). Later planted or replanted crops in LaSalle County are at similar maturity, but earlier planted corn is reaching V10 – V11 stage and some earlier soy is getting close to R1.

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.

We have had intermittent showers over the past week, so there has been a lot of opportunity for farmers to finish planting. The vast majority of fields in LaSalle County have been planted and have seedling emergence. Corn is ranging in development from VE to V4. Soybeans are ranging from VE to V1.

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.

Some growers were able to take advantage of the nice weather over the weekend and get out in the field. Most corn that was planted earlier is at VE-V1, and soybeans are at VE-VC. There is minimal standing water, but fields remain fairly wet.

Planting has paused due to wet conditions, but corn has started to emerge in fields that were planted earlier.