In a recent report, I stated that warmer weather would benefit the 2026 crop, perhaps in the future I should qualify my term of “warmer weather”. A week of 90 degree plus days in Northeastern Illinois has allowed farmers and agribusiness the opportunity to play catch-up applying post herbicides. Last week, you could not travel a rural road without meeting a sprayer. Most fields have weed populations that have easily exceeded weed size management recommendations and most have drowned out areas that will likely germinate later season weeds. Fields this year are unlikely to have “perfect” weed control. Growers are encouraged to evaluate post herbicide applications and start scouting for leaf diseases in corn. Tar spot symptoms have been reported in the state, and one tool that can be utilized to see if a crop disease has been reported in your area is visiting the Crop Lookout Website. Crop Lookout is a real-time, interactive map that highlights emerging field crop issues across the United States and Canada. Updated throughout the growing season by university Extension specialists and research partners, the tool visualizes reports of diseases, pests, and other agronomic challenges as they develop. Northern Corn Leaf Blight or Goss’s wilt have been found in Grundy County as the crop is near the Tassel stage.