debugging field crop production

We had another very nice weather week across Illinois. Average temperatures this week ranged from the low to high 60s statewide, between 1 and 4 degrees below normal. September to date has been 1 to 3 degrees cooler than normal, which has been quite a change from the extreme heat that ended August. Some of the more impressive nighttime low temperatures this week included 40 degrees in Stockton and 41 degrees in Decatur. More of the state picked up at least some rain this week.…

Russ Higgins – Extension Commercial Ag Educator Grundy County Soil Conditions: Moderately Dry (soil is dry, plants may be browning or stressed, water bodies are low) Corn is at R5 (dent), and most soy is at R6 (full seed). Fields that still have green tissue are benefitting from recent rainfall. Areas that experienced drought conditions after pollination and during grain fill can expect corn kernel abortion near the ear tip and smaller and lighter kernels.…

The continual evolution of weed species and populations resistant to herbicides from one or more site-of-action groups represents one of the most daunting challenges facing Illinois soybean producers. Waterhemp has evolved resistance to herbicides from more site-of-action groups than any other Illinois weed species, including resistance to Group 15 herbicides (products such as Dual II Magnum, Zidua, Warrant, Outlook, etc.). Soil-residual herbicides are components of an integrated weed management program that provide several benefits, including reducing the intensity of selection for resistance to foliar-applied herbicides.…

Rainfall in the first two weeks of August recharged soil moisture across much of Illinois, but since then, the combination of low rain amounts and very high temperatures (4.7 to 8.9 degrees above average) brought on some stress during the last week of August. The August 29 U.S. drought monitor map from last week showed about 43% of the state with no stress, 42% abnormally dry, and 15% with moderate drought. Parts of central and southern Illinois received between 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain this week,…