Most of our area has finally received some rainfall over the last week, but it has been scattered and highly variable. I have had reports of a few tenths to a few inches across the county. Much of the area has gotten about 3/4 to 1″, however, there is a band through the central part of the county that has only gotten a few tenths at best and even that was scattered across multiple days. I have a corn demonstration plot planted 5/3 that after 2 weeks barely emerged and soybeans planted that same time again with very spotty emergence. Wide spread rain is greatly needed. For those that have caught rain, crops responded almost overnight in growth. I have seen some of the largest corn fields at V3-4. PRE herbicide activation has been a concern with limited rainfall. Wheat continues to be quite happy with continued modest temperatures overall in the 70s and 80s and no excessive precipitation. We will get a better view of the wheat crop across the region next Tuesday at the Illinois Wheat Association Plot Tour, where farmer groups will canvas many of our wheat producing counties across the state, assessing crop quality and yield estimates They will wrap up at the Belleville Research Center late afternoon to view plots and report crop observations.

Most fields in the area are planted and emerged. For the most part, the crop looks to be off to a good start in most fields, with the exception a few low spots where water is or was recently standing following the rains earlier this month. With minimal rain and some warmer temperatures in the near-term forecast, farmers in the area will likely finish up any planting and replanting they have to do in the next week or so.

2.8 inches of rain over the weekend. Water standing field work has been at a stand still for the last week and will be for another week. Just a few fields left to plant in the area., Either field corn or seed corn.

This soybean field has uniform germination and good plant stand.

Corn is up. This field was planted on May 4th and had about an inch and a half of rain after it was planted followed by warmer temperatures.

Had just 4 tenths of rain in June so far. Most crops still look good.. Lighter soils and sand fields are showing stress. Been applying about an inch of water per week for the last 3 weeks through irrigation.

We are starting to see some Black Cutworms in Western IL. Scout throughout the field and often.

Many farmers wrapped up planting this week or have a significant amount planted at this point in the season. We received critical and gentle rains that will help kickstart this season on the right foot.

Many farmers have been in the heart of planting this week and some are getting closer to finishing. We received critical and gentle rains that will help kickstart this season on the right foot.

This area received variable rains that halted planting. Some areas received anywhere from 0.75” to 5” early this week, and are receiving another 0.5” today. Planting is wrapping up for the area.