
Douglas B. Gucker
IL Extension
dgucker@illinois.edu

Douglas B. Gucker
IL Extension
dgucker@illinois.edu
DOUGLAS B. GUCKER UPDATES
Region 5 | September 10, 2025 | DeWitt, Macon & Piatt Counties
Doug Gucker
dgucker@illinois.edu

Caption: Most soybean fields are in the R7, beginning maturity stage with a few fields reaching R8, full maturity stage.

Caption: Ear size is smaller this year compared to last year with this ear about 7″ long. Note Northern Leaf Blight on leaf and the fired leaves.

Caption: With a few local elevators offering reduced drying charges, some corn harvest has begun.
SYNOPSIS
All of my three-county area is in some form of drought, with part of it in “D2, Severe Drought.” Crops are maturing rapidly. Due to environmental stress and drought, corn is showing top die-back and firing leaves up to or near the ear. Soybean fields are quickly maturing, with the upper node or nodes of pods having two seeds instead of three.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THIS COUNTY?
Severely Dry (soil is very dry, water bodies are very low, vegetation is stressed)
IF CONDITIONS ARE ON THE DRY END, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING US DROUGHT MONITOR CATEGORIES BEST FIT CURRENT CONDITIONS
Moderate Drought (D1)