Crop Report

Region 5 | May 8, 2026 | Champaign, Ford, and Effingham

Scott Krone
skrone@gdmseeds.com

Caption: Dust storm rolling into Rantoul, IL
Caption: Soybeans emerging in Gibson City, IL
Caption: Wheat field in Altamount, IL
SYNOPSIS

Wind and rain have slowed fieldwork over the past two weeks, with 1.5 to 3.5 inches of scattered rainfall. On May 4, brief field activity occurred, but high winds caused a dust storm and emergency alerts. A few growers are now working drier fields. Soybeans are emerging (VE), and corn ranges from VE to V2, with some replanting needed due to standing water. Wheat across Region 5 is at Feekes 10 to 10.5.1 and generally looks very good, though some winter annuals remain in unworked fields.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THIS COUNTY?
Mildly Wet (soil is wetter than normal, local vegetation is healthy)
IF CONDITIONS ARE ON THE DRY END, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING US DROUGHT MONITOR CATEGORIES BEST FIT CURRENT CONDITIONS
Near Normal (Dnada)
WEATHER

Wind has been a big factor in the recent week. The wind has been drying out fields just quickly enough for it to rain again. On May 4, farmers were able to get some fieldwork in, but the combination of tillage and high winds led to a dust storm, and emergency alerts were sent out.

PRECIPITATION

Rainfall has ranged from 1.5 to 3.5 inches over the past two weeks, with totals varying widely due to scattered storms.

FIELD ACTIVITIES

Rain has slowed most fieldwork over the last one to two weeks. Today, a few growers have ventured out to work some of the drier fields in the area.

SOYBEAN GROWTH STAGE

Soybeans are slowly popping their way out of the ground. Early planted fields are at the VE to VC stage. Around 40% to 50% of bean ground has been planted in the area.

CORN GROWTH STAGE

Emerged corn is at the VE to V2 stage. There are fields that will need some spots replanted due to standing water.

WHEAT GROWTH STAGE

Traveling across Region 5, wheat growth stages range from Feekes 10 to Feekes 10.5.1. Most wheat fields are looking great with no major issues.

WEEDS

Some winter annuals still remain in fields that have not been worked.

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