There is a pocket south of Interstate 70, mostly through Clinton, Marion, and Fayette counties that has received several more inches of rain over the last 60 days which has impeded planting compared to the rest of the state.

Corn planted in early April looks good and is about head height and around V10. Some of the latest corn plantings/replants are just about V2. Growers that didn’t hit that first window have had to struggle with replant decisions.

Some beans also got planted in the first half of April and are nearing canopy close if drilled. However, many beans were not planted until late May/early June with some fields planted in the last week or that have yet to be planted.

Wheat matured a little early this season and harvesting could have begun the second week of June if rain and replants had allowed. As of the Illinois Wheat Association’s annual wheat tour in May, little lodging was reported, but the repeated storms of the last few weeks have caused lodging in some fields. The repeated rains on otherwise mature wheat have also raised concerns of quality degradation.

Last weekend a few combines got rolling, but were stopped by showers on Tuesday 6/16, and forecasts show more rain this week. I saw a few planters trying to squeeze in double crop beans on 6/17 before the next round of rain, hoping either that the straw isn’t too wet to cut through or their row cleaners can clear a path. Hopefully get can get back to cutting by the coming weekend.