Hot and mostly dry conditions continue across the area, with daytime highs in the 90s and soils beginning to crack from limited moisture. Fields are considered mildly dry, which is not uncommon for this region that often misses rainfall events. Ground rigs and airplanes have been busy with fungicide and insecticide applications, while fields with significant weed escapes are receiving additional post treatments. Soybeans are generally at the R1-R3 growth stages. Areas that received heavy early-season rains have faced greater weed control challenges throughout the season.

This small area around the Kaskaskia River near Vandalia has been greatly affected by flooding. Both corn and beans in the floor plain are far behind, with large areas not able to recover. Large acres of soybeans were covered in mud and had corn residue stuck halfway up the plant. This has delayed the growth that would have normally been seen with the heat the area has received. The last rain on the 11th cleaned most of this up. It will be interesting to see how much if any is replanted. Double-crop beans are well under way.

Wind and rain have slowed fieldwork over the past two weeks, with 1.5 to 3.5 inches of scattered rainfall. On May 4, brief field activity occurred, but high winds caused a dust storm and emergency alerts. A few growers are now working drier fields. Soybeans are emerging (VE), and corn ranges from VE to V2, with some replanting needed due to standing water. Wheat across Region 5 is at Feekes 10 to 10.5.1 and generally looks very good, though some winter annuals remain in unworked fields.

Temperatures this week ranged from the low 30s to low 80s, with strong winds up to 40 mph and the potential for patchy frost from Saturday night into Monday morning. We received 0.75 to 1.5 inches of rain over the past week, which continues to chip away at the drought, leaving an estimated 3 to 6 inches still needed. Fields have been too wet for much activity the past several days, and additional rain could keep things slow into early next week.

There was a burst of field activity late last week ahead of the rain, with some progress made on tillage, pre-emerge, and anhydrous ammonia applications, though overall activity has been lighter as growers wait for better soil moisture for planting. No known soybeans have been planted locally yet, early-planted corn has started to spike, and reports indicate wheat is already heading in southern Illinois, with several local fields not far behind.