There has been no field activity since we received 3.5 to 4 inches of rain last Monday (4/27/26). Rain came down at a record pace and caused flooding. As a result, there was some ponding. Soils are still saturated, and crops are tattered from wind and minor hail. The stands of early planted crops look good despite the weather. Soybeans that were struggling to emerge, with snapped necks in crusted soils, look better, and soybeans continue to emerge, so stands could improve. Corn that was hindered in crusted soils looks significantly better, with good stand counts, but with some gaps in rows. Those who planted right before the heavy rains fear they may need to replant.

Many had just started to get back into the field after last weekend’s (about 1 inch) rain but have stopped again after today’s rain. A high percentage of fields have been planted, and you can now see around 35% soybean and corn emergence from the road. Overall, both corn and soybean stands and populations look good after last weekend’s cold snap and rain. Some fields that were planted around April 9 or 10 are struggling to emerge in fields that are crusted. One soybean field had necks that were breaking in crusted conditions, and these plants will not survive. Plant populations will need to be reevaluated in another five to seven days to see if replant is needed. Many days have been very windy and not suitable for herbicide applications. Morningglories were seen emerging while scouting soybeans.

Until last night, many farmers were in the field over the past eight days applying ammonia or burndown treatments, while others were tilling and planting. It was a very good run, but limited rainfall raised concerns about delayed or uneven corn and soybean emergence. Over the past week, about 135 GDDs have accumulated, with most occurring in the past three days due to warm temperatures. Just under an inch of rain fell overnight, providing needed moisture to support emergence. Field conditions are now too wet for fieldwork for the next several days, and it is too early to evaluate plant stands.

Soybean planting has begun in my area. Seeding populations were increased 5% to 10% due to lower germination from last year’s dry harvest. There is some concern about winter annuals emerging strongly, especially in fields that did not receive a fall burndown. Previous cool temperatures, along with recent windy conditions, have hindered herbicide burndown applications.

Darby and I visited one of our ISA on-farm trial sulfur plots in Vermilion County this week. Soybeans are ready to be harvested, but we are hoping for rain Saturday as conditions are extremely dry. We tried digging soybean plants in different treatments of the trial and, unfortunately, bent the shovel. There are many reports of soybeans still holding leaves and green stems but with very low grain moistures. Corn has been harvested in the area, and yields are above average but less than the record yields reported last year. Corn tip-back was seen on some ears, and disease was visible in the upper corn canopy.

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.