The growing season is entering a key phase, during which many fields and plants are transitioning into the reproductive stage of growth. Nearly all of the corn fields in the area have entered the R1 phase, with some likely further along. There are still some fields in the later V-stages, but they won’t be behind the rest for too long. Much the same story can be said of soybeans, with some more mature fields in the R1–R2 phase, while others are in the later V-stages. Rainfall has also been variable across the area over the last week. Some parts of the county received around an inch of rain, while others received a half-inch or less.

In Franklin County this week, I found a couple of soybean fields in full flowering (R2), despite being shin-knee high. Beans in this area vaulted straight into flowering at only V5–V6, since days have started shortening after the solstice. Most double-crop beans are in the ground and at VE–VC.

On the corn side, I have seen one field tasseling — it must have been an atypical field that got planted in April. Most corn fields are still vegetative (V9–V10), with no sign of tassels yet.

Central/West-Central Illinois Report (7/9/25)

About 40-45% of the soybean crop seems to be setting up very well for yield. Color, canopy closure, and general appearance look very good in those fields. The “mid-season vibe” for that portion of the crop is good, but “the final story” is yet to be told. Growers are holding their collective breath for late July/ early August rainfall that would set that story in concrete.

Don’t discount the crop that sits just a shade lower in general appearance (about 40%). That portion also is set up well, but the finish line is still very far ahead.

All of that said, there are some fields that had begun to struggle previous to this week’s rainfall. About 15-18% of fields have not yet closed canopy, generate concern for those fields in the countryside. About 3-5% of fields were doing that because droughty stress had reached severe levels. In those locations low organic matter ribbons of soil were evident with beans graying off, occasionally yellowing up, and – in the worst cases browning. Rainfall totals ranging from a tenth to a few inches alleviated that stress early in the week.

Roughly 65-75% of the corn crop has tasseled. Those fields that have not yet tasseled will do so in 3 to 12 days with an average of about 6 days to tassel (across the geography). As with beans, about 3% of the crop had shown evidence of severe droughty stress previous to rain. Moisture stress induced edge of field potash deficiency is evident in about 6% of fields.

With about 0.5–1.0″ of rain and some cooler temperatures, this past week, corn and soybean crops in Douglas County are looking healthy during this vital flowering period. Most soybean fields are somewhere between the full flowering (R2) and beginning pod (R3) stages, with a few fields moving into full pod (R4). At least 50% of the corn fields I saw during my survey had started to flower. Most of those fields were still in the early stages of silking and anthesis (R1), but a couple of fields I visited were entering the blister stage (R2).

Wheat fields I drove by had all been harvested. Many had been planted to double-crop soybeans sometime last week before the rain, and I saw a couple of farmers getting ready to roll again as soils dried enough to allow for field traffic. In the southwest part of the county, several alfalfa fields had their second cutting, with one or two still standing. Oat fields looked to be a week or so away from harvest.

Another dry week for northern IL, with a few isolated storms occurring farther west or in Chicago. We have slid back into a predominantly D1 drought, with large areas of Kane and Will counties entering into a D2 drought. Corn and soybeans have started to grow out of the early-season stunting, but both crops are likely to be short overall this season. Temperatures dropped a little bit this past week but were still in the mid to upper 80s. Depending on planting date, corn is between 1,200–1,250 growing degree units as we continue to progress through the season.

Corn is averaging V11–V13 across the region. Some isolated fields are still lagging quite a bit behind, around V8–V9, but an overwhelming majority are spiking. Ears are starting to develop, and a small handful of fields have tassels emerging. I expect that by next week most fields will have tasseling corn. Disease is still incredibly low for this time of year; I have not found tar spot in any fields that I have scouted — let alone gray or northern blight. Many areas south of the I-80 corridor have confirmed cases, with the only county north being Carroll County out west. I continue to encourage regular scouting of your fields to stay on top of diseases. I have not seen any insect pests, but fall armyworm damage has been reported in sweet corn, so that is something to monitor.

Soybeans are beginning to enter R3 as pods are developing on the lowest nodes. Plants are healthy and beginning to fully shade out the rows. I have not seen any diseases yet, due mostly to the weather. Japanese beetles are present in most fields, but numbers aren’t anything to be concerned about currently. I have seen quite a bit of herbicide residual burn on beans this season, and it’s unclear whether the hot and dry weather is the culprit or different chemical mixes. Either way, the beans are growing out of it.

If you see any disease, insect damage, or anything else of note as the season continues, please feel free to email me images with descriptions at sbbrand2@illinois.edu.

Scattered rain for the next several days. The crop is finally taking off. Corn growth stages are from emerging to Brown silk. Crazy spring!