I able to visit the Peoria Co. area this week to evaluate an ISA sulfur plot. This is the earliest planted (April 12th) and tallest (thus far) ISA sulfur plot in the state it had reached the R1 growth stage. Corn appeared as V6-V7 growth stage. It is also interesting to note that pumpkins were growing near and once in this location. This week was hot, with high humidity and you could hear the crops growing. Post herbicide applications appeared to have taken place and volunteer pumpkins were dying. Alot of soybeans consist of herbicide speckling that soon will not be visible as crop quickly grows. Very low insect feeding and some bacterial blight present on soybeans. This is a bacterial disease that favors cool, wet weather, so fungicides are useless.

We had 0.5 inches of rain last weekend, and coupled with 80-degree weather all week, the crop has really progressed. Corn is at V4 to V8 and beans are at V2 to V6, depending on planting date. The crop as a whole looks good, but we seem to find more uneven stands of corn every day. We think the top-end yield may be dwindling on the corn planted in late April to mid-May with each day we don’t get rain. The early April-planted corn looks the best.

I’ve received several reports of injury from grape colaspis; in some cases it’s pretty extensive. Scout lighter textured soils and high points in rotated corn (or soybean following soybean), especially in areas that have had trouble in the past. The adults lay eggs in legumes; the partially grown larvae overwinter, then feed on roots of corn, soybean, or most other plants the following year. They resemble tiny white grubs.

Since last week’s update most of the region received 2”-5” of rain, so no planting has taken place.

Pictured here is a typical corn field planted on Memorial Day weekend, currently at V3, decent emergence during our relatively dry 3 week span, but some yellowing as a result of waterlogged soils.

First crop beans are still only partially planted, the typical field that did get in the ground is around VC-V2.

A typical wheat field in Marion county, largely golden, a few greens spots still remaining, grain is in dough stage.

Warm temperatures have been very welcome and have helped spur crop development. While there has not been much rain over the last week, there is still plenty of moisture deeper in the soil from previous rains. Some insects are starting to show themselves in corn and soybean fields, but there are no signs of significant damage yet.

6 inches of rain in last 7 days. Just getting back in the field to get some spraying done. More rain expected next 5 days. Waterhemp going wild!