Crop is really progressing with the heat. Early-planted beans are starting to close rows, and post applications have been made. Constantly scouting beans for waterhemp escapes. Corn is 3–6 leaves from tasseling. Found tar spot in most of the corn across a three-county area. You really have to look to find it, but it’s definitely present. Of the 15 corn fields I’ve been in so far, I’ve found it in 13. It doesn’t seem to be hybrid-specific—same infestation level across multiple brands and hybrids.

We had 0.5 inches of rain last weekend, and coupled with 80-degree weather all week, the crop has really progressed. Corn is at V4 to V8 and beans are at V2 to V6, depending on planting date. The crop as a whole looks good, but we seem to find more uneven stands of corn every day. We think the top-end yield may be dwindling on the corn planted in late April to mid-May with each day we don’t get rain. The early April-planted corn looks the best.

Soybeans are VC to V3 depending on planting date. Corn is V5 to V1 depending on planting date. Crop has seemed to stall with the cool weather. We are dry, but there is still adequate subsoil moisture. Rain and heat are in the forecast for this week – both will be welcomed!

We remain dry in Northern Illinois, with our last rain 3/4 inches on May 1st. There have been some rotary hoes running the last couple days from end of April planting starting to emerge.

Last week of April was a busy planting week in Northern Illinois. I would say locally we’re 70% planted on beans and 60% planted on corn. 20% of the crop planted in the area went in the week leading into Easter, mainly beans but the crops planted before Easter are starting to emerge now.