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.

We received some much-needed (if sporadic) rainfall in the last week that has crops looking much better than in previous weeks. Areas of Bureau County reported over 5 inches on Friday night, though that storm system petered out by the time it reached LaSalle County. LaSalle County did receive about 2 inches of rainfall on Wednesday night. Thankfully, temperatures have also cooled off a little bit for the time being, and there is more rain in the forecast for this weekend and early next week.

Overall, crops are looking healthy. Wheat in LaSalle County was harvested the first week of July. Most corn is now reaching VT/R1. Most soy is entering reproductive stages, with many fields at R3. I have not seen any serious disease or pest concerns in the fields I have scouted, but tar spot has now been reported in LaSalle, Bureau, and Marshall counties, so growers should continue to scout fields and be on the lookout for this disease. Corn is reaching the growth stages where it could benefit from a fungicide application, and I have seen both ground and aerial sprayers at work in the past week.

After a very hot and humid week, LaSalle County received some much-needed rainfall on Tuesday night. Crops were exhibiting considerable heat stress before this, but overall, they’re now looking much healthier. Additional rainfall is in the forecast for Wednesday night and potentially into the weekend, though temperatures will remain in the high 80s to 90s. Corn is reaching V6–V7, and most soybeans are at V2–V3. There is a wider range of growth stages among soybean fields, with some recently replanted; one scouted field was already at R1. No significant pest or disease issues have been observed yet, although Japanese beetles were present in many soybean fields. Recent reports confirmed Tar spot in Bureau County, so growers should stay vigilant and continue scouting.

Fields in LaSalle County have dried out a bit over the last week, with only minimal rainfall over the weekend. At the IVCC + Extension Research and Demonstration Plots corn is nearing V5 and soy V1-2. Other fields scouted in LaSalle County have V6 corn and V2-3 soybeans. One soybean field that was scouted showed signs of root rot, potentially Phytophthora.

Nearly all fields in LaSalle County have now been planted and have emerged. Areas of LaSalle County saw upwards of 5 inches of rainfall on Wednesday, so most fields are looking healthy. Corn at the Extension Research and Demonstration Plots at Illinois Valley Community College is at V4, soy is at VC-V1. Earlier planted corn in LaSalle County is nearing V7. Most soy isn’t quite as far along – the most mature I observed was at V2.

It has been a wet and chilly week following the hot, dry weather last week. LaSalle County saw nearly 5 inches of rainfall, which has led to ponding in some of the more low-lying areas of fields. Nearly all corn acres are planted, with most corn around stage V1-V2. The most mature corn I observed was at V4. Around 50-60% of soy acres are planted/emerged, with earlier planted soy reaching V2. I have also noticed a small uptick in corn-on-corn in LaSalle County this year compared to previous.

While it may be tempting to mow ditches, roadsides, and fence rows now that vegetation is getting larger with the increased rainfall, it is nesting season for ground-dwelling birds like pheasants. Avoid mowing until August to give these birds time to nest, especially in areas with more diverse stands of grasses that provide more attractive habitat.

Rain the last few weeks has limited activity in many parts of LaSalle County, but this week it has dried out a bit and we’ve had perfect weather for planting. Most have completed any planned spring tillage, and since Monday (5/5/25) I have seen many planters/sprayers out in the fields. The research and demonstration plots at Illinois Valley Community College will be planted this Friday (5/9/25). I anticipate many growers will be taking advantage of the sunny, warm weather in the forecast for the next week to finish planting.

We have gotten quite a bit of rain in the last week in LaSalle County, with most areas seeing between 2-3 inches. Some areas in Bureau County received up to 4 inches of precipitation in the past week. With this, many fields have fairly saturated soils, but I have not noticed any ponding. Overall crops are looking very good and progressing well. I have not seen excessive disease or pest pressure in most fields. Corn is at R3 (milk), and soy is at R5 (beginning seed). Weeds are getting very large in some fields though (see image of waterhemp).

LaSalle County experienced a good amount of precipitation this week from the several large storm systems that moved through the area. Luckily, we have not seen any severe damage from these storms. I also have not noticed much standing water in fields. Corn at the IVCC + Extension plots is tasseling or getting close to it. Soybeans are flowering. The IVCC + Extension plots are a little behind in development compared to fields in a lot of LaSalle County. Corn in many fields is tasseling, silking, or has been successfully pollinated.

Like much of the state, in LaSalle County it has been hot with only one day in the past week having some scattered showers. There are some scattered thunderstorms in the forecast for next week, though. Overall crops are still looking good, but the soil is starting to dry out a bit on top. Corn at the IVCC research and demonstration plots is at V5, and soy is at V2/3 (both planted May 20). Later planted or replanted crops in LaSalle County are at similar maturity, but earlier planted corn is reaching V10 – V11 stage and some earlier soy is getting close to R1.