The past couple of weeks have been exceptionally dry for northern Illinois. We’ve had a few sporadic rain events, with rainfall totals being very isolated and regional from pop-up severe storms. The rain we received this past week, including on Wednesday, June 18, has helped move us toward a more normal seasonal total — which was much needed. Much of the area along and north of Interstate 80 has shifted between D0 and D1 drought status, a slight improvement from some localized D2 droughts.

Temperatures are rising, and we’re expecting hot and humid weather in the weeks to come, with more typical temperatures for this time of year. Overall, we had a great week for growing degree units (GDUs), and as of June 18, the DeKalb area has accumulated 740 GDUs.

Corn, for the most part, is very drought-stressed and showing symptoms such as “pineapple corn” — skinny, withered plants across most fields. Crops are varying widely in growth stage, with some fields at V4 pushing into V5 and standing about 15 inches tall, while others are strong, healthy V7 plants measuring 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall. The localized rain from significant pop-up storms over the past week made a noticeable difference. Many fields are either the “haves” or “have-nots” when it comes to rainfall. The two corn photos I posted above are from fields about two miles apart in DeKalb County, clearly illustrating how isolated some of these rain events have been. The rain on June 18 brought anywhere from 0.5 inch to more than 1 inch, depending on how far south you are through the Joliet region.

Soybeans are still slightly stunted from the drought but overall appear healthy. Most fields range between three and five trifoliates, and the added moisture should promote continued growth. I have not seen any early-season diseases, but I’ve noticed minor insect damage across most fields — nothing to write home about. Overall, fields have good stands and vigor and should grow out of the early-season stunting.

I didn’t have a chance to get into any wheat fields this week. The few I drove past and got a quick look at seem to be in Feekes stage 11, around dough stage, and are ripening nicely. I hope to scout for any late-season diseases by next week. With increased GDUs this week and the forecast calling for hotter temperatures, wheat should ripen nicely for an early July harvest.

After the strong storms that passed through the region yesterday (June 18), most fields in northern Vermilion County are saturated, with a little standing water in low-lying areas and compacted headlands. The storms also brought strong winds, but fortunately, the damage to crops seems to be minimal in that part of the county.

Most corn in the area was leaning, but there were only a couple of areas where the crop was nearly flat. The affected corn was on the more advanced end of the crop growth range in the region, which is around the V8 to V10 growth stages. However, I saw minimal greensnap, so much of that corn, which is currently horizontal, will likely recover — albeit with a goosenecked stalk. Later-planted corn, generally in the V3 to V4 range, was affected little by the winds.

Soybeans ranged in growth stage from V1/V2 to R1, with some earlier-maturity soybeans starting to open their first flowers. Weed control in both corn and soybeans was mixed, with the wet conditions likely contributing to an inability for farmers to get timely postemergence herbicide applications completed.

I found a couple of wheat fields during my survey, both of which were in the Feekes 11.2 growth stage, with kernel starches at a “soft dough” consistency.

Crop growth is starting to vary across Logan County. Corn around the county looks very healthy, with many fields well above knee-high. Growth stages range between V4 and V6. Soybean growth is more varied. Some fields look healthy and are in the V4-V6 stage. However, some fields are lagging, with some in the V2 or V3 stage. With beneficial rains on 6/18 and more hot temperatures on the way, it will be interesting to see how these fields progress over the next week.

Both soybean and corn received a welcome rain on Monday, with local spots in Henry County receiving 1.5 inches and more in the forecast for Wednesday night—before a very hot and dry pattern sets in, with heat indexes forecasted to exceed 100 degrees. Corn is in the rapid growth stage, with most herbicide applications and sidedressing completed. Worked soybeans are outpacing those in no-till and minimum-till ground, and spraying is starting this week. Sprayers were rolling before the spotty thunderstorms arrived, with additional rain forecasted through midweek. Those unable to get into the field due to rainfall should have an opportunity later in the week as we shift to a hotter, drier summer pattern. These fields will need to be watched closely, as weeds will continue growing rapidly alongside the crop. Higher herbicide rates and different tank mixes may be necessary in these situations.

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.

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.