There has been no field activity since we received 3.5 to 4 inches of rain last Monday (4/27/26). Rain came down at a record pace and caused flooding. As a result, there was some ponding. Soils are still saturated, and crops are tattered from wind and minor hail. The stands of early planted crops look good despite the weather. Soybeans that were struggling to emerge, with snapped necks in crusted soils, look better, and soybeans continue to emerge, so stands could improve. Corn that was hindered in crusted soils looks significantly better, with good stand counts, but with some gaps in rows. Those who planted right before the heavy rains fear they may need to replant.

3.61 inches of rain for the week of April 26 has put a halt to field operations. Early planted soybeans look excellent. Early corn has emerged and is off to a good start, despite the cooler temperatures. Most corn planted in the window before the large rain still has not emerged. Replant operations appear to be likely on those acres. Soft red winter wheat has headed out, and anthers have appeared, triggering aerial applications of head scab fungicide.

Many had just started to get back into the field after last weekend’s (about 1 inch) rain but have stopped again after today’s rain. A high percentage of fields have been planted, and you can now see around 35% soybean and corn emergence from the road. Overall, both corn and soybean stands and populations look good after last weekend’s cold snap and rain. Some fields that were planted around April 9 or 10 are struggling to emerge in fields that are crusted. One soybean field had necks that were breaking in crusted conditions, and these plants will not survive. Plant populations will need to be reevaluated in another five to seven days to see if replant is needed. Many days have been very windy and not suitable for herbicide applications. Morningglories were seen emerging while scouting soybeans.

We started off the week with unfavorable (15-20 mph-plus) winds, which kept us out of the field for the first half of the week. In the meantime, we have kept busy finishing up spring anhydrous ammonia and delivering seed to customers. We continue to make progress with trials, such as our HumiK trial near Lomax, Ill., where we spread dry fertilizer on Friday—now just to plant—and our ISA on-farm Sulfur 2.0 trial also was planted on Saturday. Wednesday, we started spraying, and a lot of local farmers have started planting as well. Friday morning, we were set back a day from 0.10-0.20 inch of rain. Last Friday, we got severe storms with 1-2 inches of rain, high winds and hail. Temperatures have been in the 50s, with frost overnight. We are expecting more severe storms this next week, which could set everyone back with fieldwork once again.

There have been reports of cutworm activity in Saline County.
Fields at greatest risk to cutting and economic damage are in the one- to four-leaf stage of plant development. An early warning sign of potential economic damage includes small pinhole feeding injury in leaves (caused by the first three instars). Do not assume that all Bt hybrids offer the same level of cutworm protection. A nominal threshold of 3% cutting of plants has traditionally been used as a point at which growers should consider a rescue treatment. For more information, go to extension.cropsciences.illinois.edu/fieldcrops/insects/black_cutworm/.

The following represents crop progress in Christian, Greene, Macon, Macoupin, Morgan and Sangamon counties as of April 23, 2026.

The amount of soybeans planted in the above counties stands at about 40% to 45%. The range is broad, though, with some portions of Greene County at about 30% planted and some areas of Morgan County nearly 85% planted. Better than a third of the planted crop had emerged on average.

Corn progress in the above-listed counties stands at about 75% to 80% planted. Once again, there is a range of progress represented in that average. Portions of Greene County were about 55% to 60% complete as we started out the week. Areas south of Springfield (southern Sangamon and northern Macoupin) were better than 90% finished with corn planting. Better than 45% of the planted crop had emerged on average.

Most area alfalfa is well past a foot in height (sometimes by a few inches), and wheat started out the week somewhere around Feekes 6 to 8, depending on location.

Frost did hit the area during the early part of the week, but in the noted counties we avoided the sub-30s, and soil temperatures further buffered the temperature drop near the soil line. In the noted counties, we avoided any significant frost injury.

A summary of planting progress follows for specific locals:

Carrollton, IL, area: Better than 70% of the corn crop planted, with better than 40% emerged. Nearly 40% of soybeans planted, with nearly 25% of the planted crop emerged.

Decatur, IL, area: Just under half of the soybean crop had been planted going into midweek. Of the crop that was planted, about 40% of planted beans had emerged. Corn progress stood close to 75%, and half of planted corn fields had emerged.

Greenfield, IL, area: Soybean progress closed in on one-third planted as we began the week, with 40% of the planted crop emerged. Corn progress was better than 60%, with nearly half of the planted crop emerged.

Hettick, IL, area: About 40% of the soybean crop has been planted, with almost two-thirds of the planted crop now emerged. Corn progress stood at nearly 85% to 90%, with 55% of the planted crop emerged.

Jacksonville, IL, area: Coming up from the south into the Jacksonville area, nearly 85% of corn fields were planted, and better than 50% of planted corn fields had emerged. Soybean progress stood at 50%, with about 50% of that emerged.

Moweaqua, IL, area: Progress was heavily tilted toward corn. Better than 80% of the corn crop was planted, with about 25% emergence. Soybean progress stood at just over 40% planted and about 40% emerged.

Niantic, IL, area: Almost 70% of soybean fields were planted, with about a third of those planted fields now emerged. Planted corn had passed 75%, with nearly 60% of the crop emerged.

Southern Springfield/northern Macoupin area: Corn planting had hit 90% in that area, with roughly half of the planted crop emerged. Soybean progress stood just shy of 50% planted, with about 60% of the planted crop emerged.

Springfield, IL, area (just east and just west): About 45% of soybean fields were planted, with about 55% of that now emerged. Corn planting progress was closer to two-thirds complete, with better than half of planted fields now emerged.