The earlier heat and lack of rain over the last 4 to 5 weeks brought an earlier senescence for both corn and soybeans. Some areas received a few tenths with the last storm that came through with the cold front, but it was too little, too late. Corn is just about at black layer, with some testing at 19.5 to 24% moisture. Many in the surrounding counties are getting ready to start harvest. The 3.5 maturity soybeans are just starting to turn R7, but the 4.0s are mostly green or at R6.

It has finally stopped raining. Even though we were supposed to have a cool down, it has continued to be very hot and humid. The fungicide on corn appears to be holding fungal diseases below the ear. I did see some Southern rust on the end rows of corn, but not bad as you go into the field. There are obvious disease differences on different hybrids. Corn is almost at full dent. Soybean disease symptoms of SDS are starting to show. Red crown rot has not been a major issue in Montgomery Co., but this year, this disease has unfortunately made its debut and is here to stay. Soybeans are at R4 growth stage.

We have received seven inches of rain in July, and yes, it rained again this morning. A much‑welcomed cooldown began today, with temperatures expected around 75°F. Corn is at R3, and soybeans are at R4 growth stage. Since Dad and my brother disagreed on applying fungicide to corn this year, we left a check strip untreated. At this time, gray leaf spot is much worse in the untreated check. A few aphids are showing up in corn, but nothing like last year. Soybeans look good, with only a few Japanese beetles lingering on field edges. With all the rain, the soybeans keep putting on new growth and pods at the top of the plant.

Depending on location, we have received between 1.5 and 4 inches of rain in the last week. It had previously been very dry in some areas, while others were lucky enough to get some pop-up showers. We now have the conditions for diseases to start showing up in corn or soybeans, but this will also depend on their disease susceptibility or disease scores. A few Northern corn leaf blight lesions were present in corn, but I was more concerned with the spread of gray leaf spot from the lower leaves. Japanese beetle infestations have ramped up, especially in later-planted soybeans. If farmers have decided to make fungicide/insecticide applications, they will start on corn this week as it has reached the VT growth stage. Early-planted soybeans have canopied and will soon reach the R3 growth stage. If warranted, they will also receive fungicide/insecticide applications at R3.

Some areas received between 1″ and 2″ of rain, while others nearby went without. Corn is lodged and forming brace roots after heavy winds. Earlier-planted corn in the area may have experienced greensnap. Recent spotty pop-up showers, along with the heat, were just what the crop needed to make up for previously hindered growth.

Wheat harvest is underway, with some double-crop soybeans hopefully getting planted ahead of forecasted rain. Post-emergence herbicide and sidedress/Y-drop applications are nearly wrapped up, with some beginning to mow roadside ditches.

Corn is at the V9–V12 growth stages, and soybeans are at R1 to R2. Japanese beetles have made their presence known at low levels in both corn and soybeans. Grape colaspis beetles have also been spotted in soybeans. Bacterial blight and Septoria brown spot are present in soybeans.

There are no signs of disease in corn at this time; however, leaf wetness and humidity could signal disease pressure in the future. Farmers are preparing and asking questions about fungicide applications. Many are also scouting for escaped weeds following post-emergence herbicide sprays.

I was able to visit the Peoria Co. area this week to evaluate an Illinois Soybean Association sulfur plot. This is the earliest planted (April 12) and tallest (so far) ISA sulfur plot in the state. It had reached the R1 growth stage. Corn appeared to be at the V6–V7 growth stage. It is also interesting to note that pumpkins were once grown in this location and nearby. This week was hot with high humidity—you could practically hear the crops growing. Post-herbicide applications appeared to have taken place, and volunteer pumpkins were dying. Many soybeans showed herbicide speckling, which will likely disappear as the crop quickly grows. There was very little insect feeding, though some bacterial blight was present on the soybeans. This is a bacterial disease that favors cool, wet weather, so fungicides are ineffective.

I had the chance to drive west from Springfield, IL, on I-72 to Quincy, IL, then head toward Macomb, IL, before returning home. For the most part, corn and soybeans look great in this part of western Illinois. I evaluated one of the ISA sulfur plots near Macomb, IL, where soybeans were just beginning to flower. Corn is at the rapid growth stage (around V6). Post-spraying and side-dressing appear to be finished. I spotted a click beetle—possibly a sign of wireworm issues—near our plot, but soybean stands were adequate at around 100,000 plants per acre. No major diseases were found, though root rots such as Phytophthora could begin to show up with additional rainfall.

There are still planters out in the field, mostly replanting both corn and soybeans. There are some fields with less than desired stands and they really seem to be showing up from the road. There are also side-dressing of corn as well as post herbicide applications being made on corn and earlier planted soybeans. No major pests or diseases. Excited for the heat this week to get some crop growth.

There were still planters and sprayers going over the weekend, but planting is getting closer to being finished. Obviously, crops are at all different growth stages, but the weather has hindered growth of early planted crops. Waterhemp is making its debut in early planted soybean fields and post herbicide applications will be needed soon.

Many have finishing up planting and spraying but have now moved on to stand evaluation. Overall, stands look good, low populations in some fields have led to some replant situations thanks to slugs. Also, hearing some concerns about cutworm. Now is the time to scout.