Crop Report

Region 5 | May 21, 2026 | DeWitt, Macon & Piatt

Doug Gucker
dgucker@illinois.edu

Caption: Early planted soybeans in the V3 or third trifoliate stage
Caption: Tillage and herbicides did not control early emerged tall waterhemp. Crop emergence slowed by crusting.
Caption: Controlling tall cereal rye with tillage after anthesis is a challenge.
SYNOPSIS

Planting is over 90% completed in my three-county area. The rains of the past week brought anywhere from nearly 3 inches of rain in the southern portions to just over 1/2 inch in the NE portion. Generally, the emerged crops look good, but areas of some fields are showing uneven emergence due to soil crusting. In an effort to get fields planted ahead of the May 15 rains, some fields were tilled when the soil was too wet, and they are now experiencing weed control problems due to incomplete control of emerged weeds.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THIS COUNTY?
Mildly Wet (soil is wetter than normal, local vegetation is healthy)