Crop Reports from Illinois

Weather & Field Conditions:

Field conditions across the region are currently dry, with sunny weather and temperatures in the low 80s. The area has now moved into D0 (abnormally dry) conditions, and soil moisture is beginning to tighten. A timely rainfall will be important in the near term to maintain crop progress and support the performance of recently applied inputs.

Field Activity:

Field activity has been steady this week. Planting is largely complete for both the corn and soybean crops. Post-emergent herbicide applications are now taking place in both corn and soybeans. Side-dress nitrogen applications are also ongoing in corn.

Corn:

Corn is generally in the V3 to V5 growth stages and currently in good overall condition. However, many fields are showing some yellowing and variability in stage uniformity. This is largely driven by the crop transitioning from the seminal root system to the nodal root system, which can temporarily limit nitrogen uptake and result in a less uniform appearance. While side-dress applications are helping address nitrogen needs, fields may continue to look uneven for a short period. Some fields were noticeably greener and more consistent in growth stage, particularly those with a history of reduced tillage and cover crops, including oats and radish last fall. These particular fields received a light tillage pass this spring to level out some new drain tile lines. In addition to the light tillage these fields received full rate pre-emergent nitrogen applications, which likely improved early nitrogen availability and allowed the crop to take advantage of some additional mineralization. While this appears to have benefited early-season growth, there may be some temporary tradeoffs from a soil health perspective