Scouting was done in Stephenson County. Overall the field conditions are very dry with May only bringing 1.1″ across the area so far. Temperatures have been in the upper 70s and low 80s this week with lows in the upper 40s and 50s. There are some potential rain events coming in the next week to add some moisture back into the soil. A large majority of fields have been planted and pre-emerge posts are being applied.

Corn has emerged in a majority of fields. Plants are healthy with good vigor from abundant sunshine. Growth stages are between emergence and V2 pushing V3. Despite the dry weather the residual soil moisture has produced uniform emergence.

Soybeans are beginning to emerge, by the end of the weekend most fields should emerge, but as of Wednesday only a small amount of fields had beans breaking through. Those beans were at the VE emergence or VC unifoliate unfolding growth stages. Soil top soil were dry but no crusting due to the lack of rain and the beans were having no issue breaking through the surface.

Wheat is at Feekes 10 or boot growth stage. The head is fully developed and about 2/3 the way up the leaf sheath. Head emergence is just around the corner with the warm weather. Fungicide sprays will be applied in short order as well once heads emerge. Plants looked healthy with low disease within the wheat stand.

Overall a great week for heat units and growth on the major cash crops in NW illinois and across all of northern IL. The rain potential in the next week will go a long way after a relatively dry spring and a dry winter for crop growth.