The recent heat has caused crops to quickly grow. If you listen closely, you can hear the corn growing. Soybeans are starting to try to canopy and just started to flower (R1). No major pests or diseases seen at this time. We have been blessed with an almost weekly rain. There are still areas in the county that have not been planted or just recently planted or replanted due to heavy rains.

Planting on the ISA farm has been completed and emergence of both corn (V3) and soybeans (VC) looks great. Nearby V5 corn will need to be sprayed soon as waterhemp is quickly advancing in size. Wheat has reached the grainfill stages with minor, scattered head scab as well as leaf rust.

Many were able to get back into the field over the previous weekend to plant the last of a few fields, replant, and make post herbicide applications to early April planted soybeans. Early April planted corn is at V7 and is showing signs of micronutrient deficiency due to shallow root system during the rapid growth phase. Early April soybeans are at V4 and are showing signs of bacterial blight on leaves. We will start to see even more rapid growth of crops in next few days when nighttime temperatures also heat up to the 60’s. There is rain in the forecast again, but it seems to rain here when it is not in the forecast, so it is hard to plan ahead.

We were able to plant our last soybean field on May 14 in between rains. It rained 1 to 2 inches after these were planted, with most of the rain on Monday, May 18th. These soybeans were just starting to emerge and we will need to wait another week before we can start taking plant populations. Nearby corn was at V3, with stands looking good. Wheat harvest will be 1 to 2 weeks earlier than normal this year. A few plants were showing signs of fusarium head blight or head scab. Fungicides should have been applied at early flowering (anthesis – anthers are present) or as late as 5 to 7 days after flower for disease suppression. Some pre and post herbicide applications taking place on dryer or tiled ground.

There were a few days dry enough for field activity such as planting, tillage, side-dressing and pre/post herbicides. We became rained out again after receiving 0.7 inches on Friday, May 15th. There are now a wide range of growth stages of corn (VE – V5) and soybean (VE – V3) with some finishing up planting and others side-dressing corn or applying post herbicides. There also has been some replanting or spotting in of corn and soybeans. Recent heat has finally helped crops green up and grow.

We have received almost an inch of rain this week, and it is currently raining as I type this report. There has been no field activity. Growing conditions have been cool and not conducive to crop growth. There has been a lot of talk about potential replanting if it ever stops raining. The soybeans near my house are finally emerging after being planted and sprayed three weeks ago. If we ever dry up, the focus should be on planting corn as we approach mid-May. Weeds appear to be mostly controlled, with some breaks near ditches.

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.