In previous weeks, we were praying for rain and battling windy conditions. Thank goodness our hopes came true! Last week, we didn’t have a single day without rain from Sunday through Thursday. In common wet spots in fields, there was standing water for a few days. These conditions brought all sprayers and field work to a halt.

Before the rain, there was a large window and no rush to apply post-emergence chemistries. Now, that window has drastically narrowed. As of midday Saturday into Sunday, we’ve started to see a little field activity pick up. Hopefully, by Tuesday—following the busy holiday weekend—field and environmental conditions will be favorable for getting the post-emergence chemistries on!

For us, this past week was full of inventory, organizing, and catching up on projects around the plant before the next big push.

Temperatures have been much lower than normal for this time of the year due to the rain. The average temperature this week was only 67 degrees, with the sun only shining Friday- Monday. Late last week, we saw strong winds which also halted sprayers and top-dress applications. This continues to be the main challenging factor for ag retail.

Knox County received anywhere from 2″ – 3.25″ of rain this week. While we were hoping for this rain last week, we may have wished a little too hard and gotten more than we bargained for. This allowed the soils in our area to replenish themselves as they fulfill the needs for our crops.

Field and soil conditions were wet all week but starting to dry out. We did see some predictable areas with standing water over the 4-day period of rainfall but only for a day or two. I believe soils have filled back up and are ready to give this crop what it needs to keep moving. Sunlight and temperatures are what are holding the crop back at this point in the game.

There have been no activities due to the rain. Soils are still a bit cool due to some colder rain and a lack of sunlight/temperatures.

Stages range from just planted for double crop, VE for later planted, and V3 for some early planted crop. Cool weather has also slowed growth. Root systems are coming along nicely. We have done some root digs over the past few weeks and in some of the healthier soil conditions we are seeing nice nodulation on our roots already!! With a little sun and heat these little guys will take off!!

Similar to soybeans, corn growth has slowed down with lower temperatures. Corn can be staged at VE to V3 currently. Last week, we saw major growth in corn root systems, even with it being relatively dry. We have seen root systems developing like crazy. We had seed put in on May 7th that was starting to develop amazing root systems by May 14th.

Growth stage on wheat is at heading for the little that we have here in West Central Illinois.

Not too many have been noticed yet, but mosquitoes have started to come around. Next week, we will start to put out CRW traps to see what is frying around in our corn-on-corn fields.

Weeds are coming on strong!! We have noticed some waterhemp becoming more present. When the post-emergence selection gets applied, it will eliminate the waterhemp and other tougher weeds, due to it being a full-rate and residual chemistry.

None to this point.

n/a

Most cover crops are terminated. Rye used for forage has been cut, baled, bagged, wrapped, and has been terminated. Double-crop soybeans are planted into those areas.

Many are turning momma cows and their babies out to pasture now that the grasses have really taken off and pastures have been sprayed! We hope everyone had a safe Memorial Day Holiday!