Planting is in full swing with some farmers nearing the end. Sprayers and planters are rolling along. Weather conditions have been pretty favorable for May thus far. For fields that were first planted, we’re starting to see some good emergence. Looks like the remainder of the week will be favorable for continued planting.

Although planting progress has stalled in Champaign County recently, the crop that was planted before the recent bout of rainstorms is emerging. From my survey in the southern half of Champaign County on May 6, many of the higher and dryer fields I observed had been planted with the crop emerged in perhaps 30-40% of those fields. However, many of the fields in that portion of the county remained unplanted at the time of my survey due to the moderately wet soil conditions. Standing water was only present in a few field corners/headlands, but this ponding was not widespread across large portions of fields. With warmer, dryer weather in the forecast for this week and next, I suspect many farmers will make quite a bit of progress over the next 7-10 days. The couple wheat fields I found during my survey were both at boot stage and looking healthy so far. Most of the cover cropped and/or no-till fields I observed had received their burndown applications, with the exception of one cereal rye field that was headed out but not quite at anthesis.

Planting of soybeans is coming to an end here in the west central part of the state. Corn planting is in full swing as soil conditions are as favorable as they have been in a long time for April. Many worked through the weekend to get as much done as possible before the rain forecasted for mid-week. Sprayers continue to roll as they strive to keep up with planters to ensure that all planted crop is covered. Soybean burndown and pre-emergence chemistries are on track to be done with in a day or two if not done already after soils dry up from the rain that we received Wednesday- Friday. The rain we received was enough to activate all of the residual herbicides being applied.

Last week of April was a busy planting week in Northern Illinois. I would say locally we’re 70% planted on beans and 60% planted on corn. 20% of the crop planted in the area went in the week leading into Easter, mainly beans but the crops planted before Easter are starting to emerge now.

Most of our field tiles have zero discharge. Beautiful conditions, chasing moisture deeper in furrow every day.

The story in western and central Illinois seems to be a tale (once again) of two extremes. An abundance of progress in western Illinois row crops being planted (last week pushing 50-60% – this week much higher than that). Getting first trifoliates and thinking about second in some of the earliest planted fields (early being March planted and yes…. some February). Cut to the south east area, butting up towards Lake Shelbyville, and they finally were given a shot this week. Before that (end of last week), you would be lucky to say 10% in many areas. More rainfall as of mid-week, enough to have stalled any planting for a day or two. Cutworm concerns growing & wheat in the southern part of that area will be thinking about boot soon.

Planting has been in two distinct windows so far this spring. The week of April 14th before rain started on April 17th through Easter weekend and starting April 25th through today April 30th. Corn planting as of today is estimated around 70% with some no-till corn and some worked ground to be finished. Corn emergence estimated at 10-15% Soybeans planted estimated at 40% with 5% emerged.

Rain again after 3 days of field work. Corn maybe 10% planted in our 10 counties. Soybeans planting less than that. A few March beans are in first trifoliate (V1).

Field work of all types is underway. The last 2 days of 30+mph wind has hampered spraying operations but spring tillage and planting operations are continuing.

Spring burndown continues for some when it’s not windy. Corn and soybean plantings are well underway. The race is on for some before the rain that’s expected Wednesday and Thursday.