Top inch of soil is dry but still moisture just below. Cool nights are helpful in conserving moisture but not great for plant growth. This next week will be challenging in many places with dry soil and incoming heat wave.

Still dry. Wednesday spotted one pop-up shower that did not even register on radar app. Primary field activities: herbicide application, nitrogen side-dressing and watching corn grow.

Welcomed sunshine provides a boost in early season crop growth! This dry period has allowed fields to be evaluated and planned for replant as well as ponding to go away.

Some soybeans are showing signs of herbicide injury. Weeds are just starting to emerge. There was some minor bean leaf beetle feeding with a few plants showing signs of Phytopthora root rot.

Some areas of southern Illinois are getting rain after rain and as a result field conditions are terrible. While many are near finished with planting other have yet to start. Some have lost patience for good soil conditions and are going ahead with planting; the result is a lot of poor stands and fields with the seed slot open or tunneling. Overall crop rating is a 5 out of 10.

Early planted corn is now at V5/V6, while later planted corn is at V3. Fields are clean for the most part. No signs of insects or disease.

This field was replanted into the original stand because most of the field was only 50,000 plants per acre after planting early, saturated soils, and then hail. Several weeds such as waterhemp and ivyleaf morning glory are coming on strong. Post herbicide will be needed soon.

Dropped the kids off at school and ventured into the adjacent soybean fields. Progress looks much better on the field on the north side of the road from last week. Coming out of their funk.
Many fields in southern Woodford County have crops up. Corn is VE and soybeans are V1-2. Some organic fields are yet to be planted as are the pumpkin fields. Crops just to the west in Tazwell County are farther along.
It’s raining again today.

Corn is coming along, beans are being planted today (May 19th.) A good rain is needed.