Many crops across Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties are getting closer to harvest. Much of the earlier-planted corn and soybeans have turned color and are nearing R6 (physiological maturity). The later-planted crops still have some time to go, but they are not far behind. Parts of the area, mainly Sangamon County, received some good rainfall last week, adding some needed topsoil moisture. There should now be enough moisture to see us through to harvest.

Another dry week, in travels across northeast Illinois we see both green corn and soy fields and in others, plants that have browned, dropped leaves and are likely only weeks from harvest. We have had reports of hand shelled corn samples near 30% moisture. For areas that had heavier soils, received timely rains and had higher water holding capacity, the yields will be impressive. A visit to the Sandwich Fair this week judging corn entries demonstrated sizeable ears. If they are representative, it will be interesting to see final yields from these locations. Somewhat of a surprise, we are finding pockets of white mold in some soy. Even though the symptoms (dead plants) are easily visible now, the initial infection took place when the soy was in the R1 to R3 stage. Harvesting white mold infected soy last and then cleaning your combine can limit the spread of sclerotia, the overwintering structures of this disease, to other areas or fields. Tar spot continues it spread in corn, even in earlier fungicide treated fields.

Most corn is settling into dent(R5) at this point. Haven’t found any to black layer quite. First crop beans are around R6, haven’t seen any fields with yellowing leaves this far south yet.

Early planted corn has reached “black layer” with the milkline nearly reaching the tip of the kernel. Late planted corn is in late R4 stage. Early planted soybean leaves are turning yellow and nearly at R7 stage. Double cropped soybeans are reaching the R5 stage. Crops are maturing quickly. Some stinkbug pod feeding is being seen.

The corn and soybean crop in McLean County is looking good as many fields are nearing maturity. All corn fields surveyed were somewhere in the R5 (dent) stage with full ears, although a couple fields showed some bare ear tips. Low to moderate levels of stalk rot symptoms were visible in several fields surveyed. Minimal corn foliar disease was observed, although tar spot was found at low levels in a couple fields in the north and eastern parts of the county. The majority of soybean fields surveyed are in the later half of R6 (full seed), but a number of fields in the county are progressing into R7 (beginning maturity). Soil moisture conditions were good, with no standing water observed but moisture available at or just below the surface in fields surveyed.

After returning from Vacation, it is always interesting to see how the crop has changed. This year, I was happy to see green crops, unlike some years. The crop is moving along nicely and a few soybean fields are starting to change to a light yellow color!

Soybeans are at R6-R7 throughout the area, and corn is at R4-R5. We have not had any significant rainfall events for a couple of weeks, leading to dryer conditions. I still have not heard any reports of or seen increased incidence of disease or insect issues. Some silage chopping has begun.

This week has brought significant heat and humidity to the area. Temperatures across Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties soared into the mid to high 90s, with feels-like temperatures surpassing 100. This heat has caused significant changes to growing conditions across the area. While topsoil moisture is short, there is still some moisture further down that may likely take crops through to harvest. Early-planted corn has reached the dent (R5) stage, with the later-planted fields in the dough (R4) stage. The story is much of the same for soybeans. Early-planted soybeans have reached R5, with some even reaching R6.

The past three days featured almost unbearable 90 degree plus days, compounding extreme dry or drought conditions for the 2024 crop. It ended with a 1 inch plus rainfall for some in the Northeast on Tuesday night. Prior to the precipitation, both corn and soy were demonstrating heat stress. One of the oddities found while scouting our now mostly R6 (full seed) soy was Thistle Caterpillar. The Lepidoptera adult is also known as the Painted Lady Butterfly. Thistle caterpillars are not known to overwinter in Illinois but migrate north annually from the southern US and Mexico. The caterpillars form webs by tying leaves together with silk creating a protected area for them to feed. Almost always considered a sporadic pest, it rarely causes enough defoliation to warrant treatment.
Today, Dr. Boris Camiletti, Plant pathologist with the University of Illinois shared his observations on the 2024 growing season from a plant disease standpoint to a gathering of Northeastern Illinois farmers. Diseased crop samples brought to the meeting were identified as Tar Spot, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Gray Leaf Spot, Southern Rust and White Mold. In addition, ear rots Fusarium and Penicillium were found. Dr. Camilletti encouraged growers to continue scouting practices to aid in management decisions, make use of the Illinois Plant Clinic, and be on the watch for Red Crown Rot in soy that it is progressing its way north in the state.

Well, corn sweat is the buzzword of the week and it’s been hot and humid. We’re seeing some tar spot and other disease pressure popping up in fields. There’s a mix of weed pressure across the county with mild insect presence. Corn is R3-R5 depending on planting date and soybeans are R3/R4 again pending planting date. Overall, crops are looking good.