Region 5 | September 24, 2026 | DeWitt, Macon & Piatt

Doug Gucker
dgucker@illinois.edu

Nearly all of the area soybean fields have reached the R8, Full Maturity stage. The exception are the double-crop fields.
Caption: Most area soybean fields are in the R8, Full Maturity stage.
Caption: May-planted corn fields are showing signs of stalk quality issues with lodging present in these fields.
Most area corn fields are showing tip back with lack of kernel fill to the end of the ear.
Caption: The tip back of ear kernels is quite common across the area.
SYNOPSIS

Corn harvest is in full swing, with yields generally good, but not as good as last year’s. Lodging and stalk quality issues are showing up in the May-planted corn fields, adding to this year’s harvest stress. The tip back of the ear’s kernels is very common across the area.
Harvesting of the early-maturity soybeans has begun. Soybean harvest is expected to resume as soon as weather conditions allow.

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