The stands of soybeans appeared adequate for 30 inch rows. No signs of pests or other stress.

Mostly favorable growing conditions in NE Illinois. Spotty precipitation slowed some farmers who are trying to wrap up the 2023 planting season. Cooler soils slowed some soybean emergence, especially in high residue No-till fields. Those scouting soybean fields have reported some emerging soy exhibiting discolored cotyledons. Likely causes can include stressful emergence conditions, diseases, herbicide injury from pre-emergent herbicides (likely PPO-inhibiting herbicides whose injury to emerging soybeans is enhanced by cool and wet conditions). If the cotyledons have a distinctive “halo'” on the cotyledon and the soy planted was seed-treated with the fungicide fluopyram (ILeVO), the browning is the result of phytotoxicity caused by accumulation of the fungicide in the cotyledon. We encourage early season scouting but also suggest farmers observe their soybean fields for several days to a week of favorable growing conditions before making rash replant decisions. Soybean are a resilient crop that often outgrow early season issues.

We received 2 to 3 inches of rain in total over the previous weekend. This and the heat amazingly allowed the corn to break through the soil crust. Stands look so much better, but way too wet to take stand counts.

We received 3 to 3.5 inches total over the previous weekend. The hail events took place on Sunday, May 7th. Stand counts of soybeans were on the lower end before the hail. You are able to see regrowth already on soybeans thanks to warm days. We will need to reevaluate the stand at the end of the week if it does not rain again. The West side of the field is the worst. No hail injury across the county line into Montgomery County.

Several big storms over the weekend. Some ponding prior to the last one, expect more now. Tree damage, power outages, possible other damage.

2023 planting is nearly done with most farmers in the area finished planting. The dry April weather has allowed spring planting to progress quickly. The cool temperatures for the second half of April has slowed emergence and plant growth of plants that have emerged.