Crop Report

Region 6 | August 5, 2025 | St Clair

Byron Hendrix
agronomy1stsolutions@gmail.com

Caption: Less than ideal stand of double crop soybean after wheat
Caption: Waterhemp escape in double crop soybean
SYNOPSIS

I focused this week’s crop report on the double-crop soybeans during my travels to southern Illinois, where my parents live. Due to a wet June and early July, the soybeans planted after wheat went in under less-than-ideal conditions. Most of the fields I walked or drove by are around 80–85% emerged. This made weed control tougher, and yields will likely be below average due to only 80–85% of the plants emerging in these fields. Waterhemp is a main issue in all soybeans. Early rainfall did not allow pre-emerge herbicides to do their job, and some fields unfortunately were not sprayed and relied solely on a post-emergence application. Even with these weed issues, overall the soybeans and corn crop look really good for southwest Illinois this time of year.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THIS COUNTY?
Mildly Dry (soil is drier than normal, plant growth may have slowed)
WEATHER

Pleasant temperatures with nighttime temps in the 60s and daytime highs in the mid to upper 80s.

PRECIPITATION

Some spotty rainfall this week, but no major systems in line for the coming week. We could use an August rainfall to help this crop to maturity.

FIELD/SOIL CONDITIONS

Dry

FIELD ACTIVITIES

Some double crop soybeans being sprayed or have been sprayed the last few days.

SOYBEAN GROWTH STAGE

R2-R3 in 1st crop soybeans R1-R2 in double crop soybeans

CORN GROWTH STAGE

Dough stage to dent stage for earlier planted corn

WEEDS

Waterhemp

ABIOTIC ISSUES

We will need a rainfall soon in southern Illinois to help finish the crop. August rains are very important in this part of the state.