Last weekend conditions started drying up enough to allow field activity to kick off throughout southern Illinois. Since last report, early beans have been emerging and reaching ~V1-V2.

Also wheat has begun senescing throughout the region, about 1-2 weeks ahead of the usual pace. This could translate to an early harvest and double crop but weather over the next 3-4 weeks will have the final say.

With temperatures being in the mid 80s to near 90s, conditions dried up nicely to give a window for guys to wrap up their planting over the weekend and early this week. Many farmers have early corn post herbicide applications going out this week. Thanks to the recent rainfall that we had, this region no longer shows up as abnormally dry on the U.S. Drought Monitor map.

Conditions across Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties in the last week have allowed many farmers to catch up on their planting. While there were some small pockets of rain in certain areas, no major accumulations were observed. The last few days have brought a lot of warm weather to the area, and some rain is in the forecast. The crops that have been planted and emerged look healthy. Corn acres that were planted earlier are mostly in the V2-V3 stage, and earlier-planted soybeans are in the V1-V2 stage.

Field conditions around Douglas County during my transect on Tuesday (5/21) were quite variable. I saw several fields with pockets of standing water, some in emerged crop that will likely require replant. But then, a couple miles down the road, there were planters running and dust flying in the high winds that were experienced by much of the state that day. I would estimate that 60-70% of fields I observed were planted, with 30-40% emerged. Most emerged corn and soybeans were still at early stages, but I did come across a few V4/5 corn fields that were planted prior to our recent wet spell. The majority of unplanted fields, tilled and no-till (so far), with and without grass cover crops (primarily cereal rye), had a burndown application or a first spring tillage pass, but there were a few exceptions in some wetter areas. Post-emergence weed control will be needed soon in several fields.

It has been a whirlwind of a week. Cooler weather to begin the week and growers taking advantage of windows of opportunities to plant and finding fields that will plant.
Finishing the week with what was supposed to be a dry spell, but areas ended up getting rained out!

The heat has the early April planted crops growing fast. The corn has grown 2 growth stages in a week. Weeds are also coming on strong in the corn and it was just sprayed with post herbicides. The soybeans remained clean. The wet holes in soybeans that were replanted on Mother’s Day have already emerged. No signs of disease or pests. Many had a chance to get in the field again.

The latter part of last week and weekend saw great conditions for fields to dry up and be suitable for fieldwork. Brief rain showers on Monday and Tuesday, combined with cooler temperatures, have stalled planting progress yet again for many local farmers. Many of the soybeans and corn that have emerged remain in the same growth stage as last week.

Some growers were able to take advantage of the nice weather over the weekend and get out in the field. Most corn that was planted earlier is at VE-V1, and soybeans are at VE-VC. There is minimal standing water, but fields remain fairly wet.

In Northeast Illinois some were fortunate to plant for several days while others have yet to attempt field work in the month of May. Crop scouting is critical to determine stand counts and the presence of drowned out areas. Waterhemp seedlings can easily be found in fields. For post herbicide applications be aware of weed height recommendations. A general rule is treating most weeds in the 3 to 4 inch stage.

Alfalfa weevil reports have started to wind down a bit as the insects cycle out – they’re still out there in some areas, so stay vigilant. Black cutworm larvae will soon be large enough to cut plants and reduce stands; projected cutting dates based on moth trap densities and degree day accumulations are available here: https://corn.ipmpipe.org/insects/black-cutworm/ (map at bottom of page). Pay special attention to fields where winter annual weed control was delayed and broadleaf weeds are present in the field and/or dying while the crop is emerging. (A clean corn field is not a very attractive oviposition site for the moths and usually will not experience much cutting). Even in areas with high moth numbers, injury is sporadic, so don’t assume you’ll need to control just because you have some weeds.