The heat and humidity have finally broken today after what feels like a very miserable few weeks. Over the past week, rainfall in LaSalle, Bureau, Marshall, and Putnam Counties has been sporadic, with some areas receiving nearly six inches and others less than an inch. Crops in areas with lower rainfall are still showing some heat stress. Overall, most crops look healthy, but the increased rainfall has finally brought disease to my four-county unit.

Tar spot has now been officially reported in all but Putnam County, though I suspect the disease is present there as well. Most growers have finished applying fungicide, and crops are now at stages where application is no longer recommended. Corn has reached R3 (milk), soybeans are at R5 (beginning seed), and double-crop soybeans are at V2–V3.

Pest pressure is low overall. Rootworm, bean leaf beetle, and Japanese beetle have been observed in soybean fields, but no significant damage has been reported.