Region 5 | June 4, 2026 | DeWitt, Macon & Piatt
Doug Gucker
dgucker@illinois.edu
Caption: Early planted soybeans reaching the V5 stage.
Caption: Noticing areas in soybean fields with reduced stands due to crusted soils and reduced emergence.
Caption: Tall Waterhemp is at the 4 inch stage presently and growing rapidly.
SYNOPSIS
Soybeans vary from V2 to V5 in general, with some fields showing the effects of early crusted soils and reduced emergence in those areas. Tall waterhemp has reached the 4-inch stage by the middle of the week. Corn varies from V2 to V7. All the crops have good color in spite of it being dry for the past 14 days. NOAA shows that the 3-county area has 2 to 3 inches below average rainfall over the past 2 weeks. Grass is browning in the lawns.
First cutting hay is being made. Sidedressing of corn is wrapping up, and post-emergent herbicide applications are in full swing.
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THIS COUNTY?
Moderately Dry (soil is dry, plants may be browning or stressed, water bodies are low)
IF CONDITIONS ARE ON THE DRY END, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING US DROUGHT MONITOR CATEGORIES BEST FIT CURRENT CONDITIONS
Abnormally Dry (D0)












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