Some producers across Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties have begun harvesting their crops. So far, the harvest has been predominantly of the earlier-planted corn, with earlier-planted soybeans not far behind. A majority of the corn and soybeans across the area still need some time to dry out before harvest, but expect more producers starting in the next couple of weeks.

Crops are loving this cooler weather we have had. It will prolong our grain fill period in corn and allow the soybeans to progress at a nice pace.

Many crops across Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties are getting closer to harvest. Much of the earlier-planted corn and soybeans have turned color and are nearing R6 (physiological maturity). The later-planted crops still have some time to go, but they are not far behind. Parts of the area, mainly Sangamon County, received some good rainfall last week, adding some needed topsoil moisture. There should now be enough moisture to see us through to harvest.

Another dry week, in travels across northeast Illinois we see both green corn and soy fields and in others, plants that have browned, dropped leaves and are likely only weeks from harvest. We have had reports of hand shelled corn samples near 30% moisture. For areas that had heavier soils, received timely rains and had higher water holding capacity, the yields will be impressive. A visit to the Sandwich Fair this week judging corn entries demonstrated sizeable ears. If they are representative, it will be interesting to see final yields from these locations. Somewhat of a surprise, we are finding pockets of white mold in some soy. Even though the symptoms (dead plants) are easily visible now, the initial infection took place when the soy was in the R1 to R3 stage. Harvesting white mold infected soy last and then cleaning your combine can limit the spread of sclerotia, the overwintering structures of this disease, to other areas or fields. Tar spot continues it spread in corn, even in earlier fungicide treated fields.

Most corn is settling into dent(R5) at this point. Haven’t found any to black layer quite. First crop beans are around R6, haven’t seen any fields with yellowing leaves this far south yet.

Early planted corn has reached “black layer” with the milkline nearly reaching the tip of the kernel. Late planted corn is in late R4 stage. Early planted soybean leaves are turning yellow and nearly at R7 stage. Double cropped soybeans are reaching the R5 stage. Crops are maturing quickly. Some stinkbug pod feeding is being seen.