A dryer weather pattern allowed most to finish or nearly finish planting or replanting. Earliest planted corn is near or at V6 and earlier planted soy is now V3. We encourage early scouting of fields, including replant areas to evaluate crop emergence (note soy replant seedling feeding in picture), weed pressure and height. Expecting post corn herbicide applications to start soon.

Early planted corn and soybean fields are in the V6 and 3rd trifoliate stages, respectively. Most fields in the area are planted, but there are still a few fields have to be planted in the areas that received heavy rains. Ponding in planted fields is a problem in some areas. The emerged crops look good but there is a wide range in plant growth.
The few wheat fields in area are looking good with very little head scab and plant health generally looks good.

We have had intermittent showers over the past week, so there has been a lot of opportunity for farmers to finish planting. The vast majority of fields in LaSalle County have been planted and have seedling emergence. Corn is ranging in development from VE to V4. Soybeans are ranging from VE to V1.

If you stop and listen, you can hear the corn (and soybeans) growing. April planted corn is V6, April planted beans are V3, May planted corn is V3, May planted soybeans are VC. No weeds thanks to a post herbicide spray and some side dressing Nitrogen. Minor bean leaf beetle feeding on soybeans.

While many fields were planted between rains during the last few weeks, there are still many unplanted fields in the region. Of the non-wheat acres, roughly a third of fields are out of the ground, mostly corn ranging from V2-V6. Another third have been planted and have not yet emerged or are just spiking, reflecting the recent planting push. The final third is unplanted, presumably left for first-crop beans since most of the standing crop is corn.

Strong winds from the last round of storms have contributed to a large amount of lodged wheat this season.

Last week remained dry despite the small chances of rain. The rain didn’t hit this region until Friday late morning with nearly an inch of rain total throughout the weekend. A lot of corn acres got sprayed with post herbicide applications last week. This morning, much of the corn appears to be in the V4 to V5 growth stage. The earlier planted soybean is around the V2 growth stage.