Our area is highly variable on crop conditions. Rainfall has been highly variable and many areas have just missed major rainfall events for region as a whole. Most of Monroe County has caught some rain on Wednesday of this week ranging from an inch in some places but others only a few tenths. Prior to that most except for the northern part of the county had received little appreciable rainfall over the last two weeks. Even when rains do come, a day or two later the soil is just as dry as it was before any rain; in most fields the deep soil water has already been tapped. Corn is mostly around tassel stage and many fields showing significant stress especially in the afternoon. Tassel emergence is highly variable and in some fields there is a concern with pollination. Soybeans are progressing but they too are showing stress. Double crop soybeans have come up fairly well and are holding there own. The best looking crops overall are those along the west, in the Mississippi River bottoms. Other than some very sandy fields most were planted early and have found some moisture.

Let see see how far this recent rain goes and hopefully catch a few more showers across the area.

We have been dry again this week, having missed any potential rain chances that were predicted. Our temperatures have also warmed up with most days at 90 degrees or above for highs. This has really put the stress to crops especially in the afternoon. Overall, crops look fairly good considering the dry, but they are growing fairly slow. Some early planted corn in the river bottom is starting to tassel. Wheat harvest is wrapping up and all reports I have heard have had very good yields and quality. Double crop soybeans are emerging fairly well, but they along with everything else, will really be hurting if we continue to stay hot and dry.

It is still very dry overall across our area. We have had a few scattered rain chances that have brought most at least some rain, however, we are at such an overall deficit, that it just doesn’t feel that it goes very far. Last weekend was the most “widespread” rainfall we have had, but still some areas got as little as 0.2” but many had 0.6” to 1” with a few getting more than that in isolated areas. The saving grace across the board has been our mild temperatures. Most corn and soybean fields look good and is growing but has some stress areas on hot afternoons. There are areas that missed rain where there was some replanting although it has been a balance as without rain replanting may not be any better than the first attempt. We are in full swing of wheat harvest. It has taken some time to get the crop dried but early reports are of good yields overall. Planters are tailing right behind harvest hoping to get double crop soybean in prior to any possible chance of rain.

Our area still continues to be dry. A few areas have got spot showers, but most have only left a tenth or two at most which only brings some short-term relief. Overall, crops do look fairly good for the lack of moisture, but week to week growth is slow with limited water. Crops do show some stress in the middle of sunny days especially with the fairly low humidity levels, but recover during the evening. The driest areas are still in the central part of the county only having received a 0.5″ of rain in the last two months. Wheat is rapidly drying down, I have not seen any harvest yet, but do expect to see some combines starting to roll in the next week if the weather pattern stays the same. Here’s to another week hoping for more widespread rain for all that need it the most!

Unfortunately, like most we have not gotten any measurable rainfall over the past week, and with the temperatures starting to get into the 90s, it is really putting some stress on our crops. The latest planted crops are the most severely hit but all are showing some signs of stress. Locally, the central part of Monroe County has been hit the hardest, missing rainfall that has gone to the north and to the south. Hillsides of some corn fields are stressed and rolled up or bare with little emergence or stand. Many fields under normal conditions would be candidates to replant or at least patch in bare areas, however, with no soil moisture and no promising chances in the forecast there really isn’t any point to put more seeds out right now. From the Illinois Wheat Association field tour, the general consensus was that overall the wheat crop and yield estimates favored a very good crop in 2023. The wheat crop is turning very quickly which is being accelerated by the dry conditions.

Most of our area has finally received some rainfall over the last week, but it has been scattered and highly variable. I have had reports of a few tenths to a few inches across the county. Much of the area has gotten about 3/4 to 1″, however, there is a band through the central part of the county that has only gotten a few tenths at best and even that was scattered across multiple days. I have a corn demonstration plot planted 5/3 that after 2 weeks barely emerged and soybeans planted that same time again with very spotty emergence. Wide spread rain is greatly needed. For those that have caught rain, crops responded almost overnight in growth. I have seen some of the largest corn fields at V3-4. PRE herbicide activation has been a concern with limited rainfall. Wheat continues to be quite happy with continued modest temperatures overall in the 70s and 80s and no excessive precipitation. We will get a better view of the wheat crop across the region next Tuesday at the Illinois Wheat Association Plot Tour, where farmer groups will canvas many of our wheat producing counties across the state, assessing crop quality and yield estimates They will wrap up at the Belleville Research Center late afternoon to view plots and report crop observations.

Locally, we are still very dry overall. Rainfall has been very scattered with some areas having caught almost an inch, yet others not even a tenth so far. Temperatures have been moderate with highs in the 70’s to low 80’s, but some days have had a noticeable increase in humidity to more summer-like conditions. Most crops are emerged, but there are some acres left to plant. Soil moisture conditions for planting this spring have been the best I can remember for the last few years, compared with many, wet springs we have had in recent memory. The extent of the dry is starting to get concerning and most are hoping for a few inches of rain, even if they still have some acres to plant. Wheat is still looking very good, especially with the modest temperatures and dry weather. I have seen some fungicides applied earlier this week on wheat acres.

Like many we are very dry. Despite the cool weather, the last few fronts that have passed through over the last few weeks have not left much more than a few tenths of rain. That coupled with the windy conditions, has really dried things out. We are on the down hill side of full season corn and soybean planting with the only major slow down in planting has been some cooler weather, however, that pattern is supposed to break for more spring-like temperatures. There are some corn and soybean fields up, but just barely enough that you can row them from the road. Even the earliest planted has been very slow to emerge with the cool weather and lows still dropping to near 40 degrees some nights. Wheat is appreciating the dry weather and modest temperatures and is looking very good. Hopefully we will catch some rain here in the next week!