debugging field crop production

WILLAg.org Radio Programming for the work week ending April 17, 2026 Geopolitical Shocks and the Nitrogen Price Squeeze Agricultural markets this week experienced significant volatility driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, high input costs, and shifting weather patterns. A primary concern discussed throughout the week is the likelihood of farmers shifting acres from corn to soybeans due to the high costs and uncertain availability of nitrogen fertilizers. Early in the week, Curt Kimmel observed that unconfirmed rumors about U.S.…

by Trent Ford, State Climatologist ISWS PRI University of Illinois Our warm spring continued this week, as average temperatures ranged from the high 50s in northern Illinois to the mid-60s in southern Illinois, 10 to 15 degrees above normal. The first half of April has been extremely warm, in fact the second warmest start to April on record in Peoria, Springfield, and St. Louis. Our recent warmth has continued a longer trend from March, making this year the warmest start to spring since 2012 statewide.…

You can also read the article in Portuguese and Spanish March was wetter than normal across much of Illinois, with statewide precipitation averaging 4.85 inches, 1.91 inches above normal. The wet trend continued into the first two weeks of April, particularly in northern Illinois, which has received between 3 and 5 inches of rainfall since April 1. As a result, field activity has been somewhat limited, with NASS reporting 2.1 and 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork for the weeks ending April 5 and April 12,…

WILLAg.org Radio Programming for the work week ending April 10, 2026 Commodity Markets and Geopolitical Influences The week in commodity markets was heavily influenced by geopolitical events and energy prices, particularly the ongoing conflict with Iran. Earlier in the week, traders squared positions and moved to the sidelines ahead of a deadline with Iran, while keeping a close watch on crude oil resistance levels. Later, a temporary truce caused crude oil prices to plunge,…