Almost every growing season, farmers reach a stretch where the crop is “holding on.” That description fits much of northeast Illinois, as additional acres fall into the abnormally dry to moderate drought category on the U.S. Drought Monitor. With high daytime temperatures, corn plants are starting to “wrap” to conserve moisture. We are starting to see tassels appear on the earliest planted corn as it reaches a critical, yield-determining stage. Tar spot is starting its spread across Illinois, and statewide reports can be followed on the Corn ipmPIPE website: https://corn.ipmpipe.org/tar-spot/. This week, we are also in the window for applying white mold fungicides. The Crop Protection Network provides a risk assessment tool, using current weather data to help in fungicide decision-making: https://connect.doit.wisc.edu/cpn-risk-tool/. Limited precipitation has allowed for a quality second cutting harvest. Happy Fourth of July to all!