This afternoon, I took a drive through western Vermillion County. Like much of the state, still, conditions are very dry. There was large variability in growth stage between fields. Corn generally fell in the V6-V10 range, although some of the later planted fields are not quite there and appear to have significantly slowed growth. In general, the larger corn looked healthier with less water stress, indicating there is some plant available moisture at the deeper soil levels accessible to roots of these larger plants, but perhaps not by the corn closer to V6. Soybean fields also showed a good deal of variation in terms of overall growth (open trifoliates, nodes, branches, etc.), although most fields I stopped an walked into were showing at least some flowers, with several at R2. Although there was variation in the overall appearance of health in the soybean fields surveyed, there were flipped leaves and signs of water stress in all of them. I did come across one wheat field that looked to have good head size and minimal disease. Harvest for that field is likely just around the corner.

Conditions are very dry. We are starting to see Spider Mites and Japanese Beetles in our area.

Corn is hanging on as we are at least getting dew that runs down to the base of the plant. Wheat yield reports continue to be excellent. Both in bu/ac and test weight. Despite the dark clouds and a rainbow, no rain now in many locations for 35 days.

The extreme dry conditions are continuing to stunt plants and causing drought stress on crops across northern IL.

Corn, soybeans, and forages are stressed with growth stunted. V10 growth stage corn is barely shoulder high at its highest point. Soybeans planted in 15-inch rows at the end of April are finally closing over. Most corn is in the V7 – V10 growth stage with some at V11. Soybeans vary from V7 to R1. Wheat harvest is just beginning in this part of Illinois (DeWitt, Macon & Piatt Counties). Second cutting hay looks to yield about 50% of first cutting on the average across the the area. Pastures and roadsides are brown where grazed or mowed.

It is still very dry overall across our area. We have had a few scattered rain chances that have brought most at least some rain, however, we are at such an overall deficit, that it just doesn’t feel that it goes very far. Last weekend was the most “widespread” rainfall we have had, but still some areas got as little as 0.2” but many had 0.6” to 1” with a few getting more than that in isolated areas. The saving grace across the board has been our mild temperatures. Most corn and soybean fields look good and is growing but has some stress areas on hot afternoons. There are areas that missed rain where there was some replanting although it has been a balance as without rain replanting may not be any better than the first attempt. We are in full swing of wheat harvest. It has taken some time to get the crop dried but early reports are of good yields overall. Planters are tailing right behind harvest hoping to get double crop soybean in prior to any possible chance of rain.

Central Iowa corn looks good. Timely rains have been beneficial. Some unevenness on side hills but still a good color. Eastern Iowa has had insignificant rains. Areas of fields have given up. Soybeans are stalled out. Strip till potassium is holding better than broadcast.

Conditions are still dry as we have yet to receive measurable rainfall in the area. As POST herbicide applications are being made, caution should be heeded as to which varieties are being sprayed. Some non-Enlist soybean fields have had Enlist applications, resulting in serious damage and plant death. Soybeans are starting to flower, but plant growth has slowed.

Another week without a hint of precipitation in most of NE Illinois, soy has basically stopped growing and corn fields are struggling to canopy between rows. My thermometer is registering 99 degrees this afternoon. I truly hope to share a different story next week, there is concern on how long these crops can hang on before suffering significant yield consequences.

The lower-than-average precipitation not only slows plant growth but also intensifies symptoms caused by soil-borne pathogens (SCN, root-knot nematode, etc.). In this field, just outside Carmi, we can observe severe symptoms caused by the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). The symptoms were limited to only a patch in the field over a sandy hill. This nematode does not cause nearly as much damage as SCN in Illinois, but we must keep an eye open for it.

This nematode prefers sandier soils and is most likely found in areas closer to the rivers. If you see patches with stunted plants, dig up some plants and look for galls (see image 2). There is nothing we can do to manage this nematode in this season, but a seed-applied nematicide can help in the future. Corn is also a host of this nematode, so crop rotation is less effective in this case.