Crop Production

WILLAg Radio Week 25 in Review

  • June 20, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending June 19, 2026. WILLAg.org is a partnership of Illinois Public Media and University of Illinois Extension. Its mission is to distribute regionally, nationally, and internationally information and analysis of commodity markets and agricultural weather.
Agricultural Markets Synthesis
The weekly market data shows a period of technical stabilization and cautious retracement across major agricultural commodities following a prolonged multi-week downturn. Analysts Susan Stroud,…

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The 2026 University of Illinois Weed Science Field Research Tour

  • June 9, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

Weed Science Field Research Tour, Wednesday, June 24 in Champaign
The weed science program at the University of Illinois invites all weed management practitioners to our annual weed science field tour on Wednesday, June 24, at the Department of Crop Sciences field research location known as the Clem Farm, located at 1114 County Road 1200 East, Champaign. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the tour will start at 9:00 a.m. Preregistration is not required, but please let us know in advance if you will be bringing a large group of participants so we can plan accordingly for meals.…

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WILLAg Radio Week 23 in Review

  • June 6, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending June 05, 2026. WILLAg.org is a partnership of Illinois Public Media and University of Illinois Extension. Its mission is to distribute regionally, nationally, and internationally information and analysis of commodity markets and agricultural weather.
Agricultural Markets Synthesis
The agricultural grain markets experienced a severe downturn, characterized by corn and soybeans breaking through critical moving averages due to persistent fund liquidations,…

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Illinois Crop Update | June 5, 2026

  • June 5, 2026

  • Illinois Extension

Steve Brand – Commercial Agronomy Specialist
DeKalb County
Soil Conditions: Moderately Dry (soil is dry, plants may be browning or stressed, water bodies are low)
Another week, more beautiful and perfect weather for outdoor activities. More notably, another week of little to no rain as we continue to progress into an early summer drought. Most of northern Illinois would be considered to be in a D1 moderate drought as of now.…

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WILLAg Radio Week 22 in Review

  • May 30, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending May 29, 2026. WILLAg.org is a partnership of Illinois Public Media and University of Illinois Extension. Its mission is to distribute regionally, nationally, and internationally information and analysis of commodity markets and agricultural weather.
Agricultural Markets Synthesis
Throughout the week, the agricultural commodity markets faced volatility driven by geopolitical developments, fluctuating energy prices, and domestic planting progress. Analysts Naomi Blohm,…

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Illinois Crop Update | May 29, 2026

  • May 29, 2026

  • Illinois Extension

Steve Brand – Commercial Ag Specialist
DeKalb County
Soil Conditions: Mildly Dry (soil is drier than normal, plant growth may have slowed)
This will be a quick report as there is not too much to report since last week. Most fields have emerged in both corn and soy. I’ve seen fields for corn varying from about to emerge to V2 pushing V3. Soybeans are in a similar boat between emerging in fields to 2nd trifoliate.…

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Illinois Crop Update | May 22, 2026

  • May 22, 2026

  • Illinois Extension

Steve Brand – Commercial Agronomy Specialist
DeKalb County
Soil Conditions: Mildly Dry (soil is drier than normal, plant growth may have slowed)
Overall, planting is close to finished across more of northern Illinois. Field work over the last 2 weeks has been non-stop, and most fields I saw were either planted or just beginning to emerge, whether that was corn or soybeans. After a wild and wet April, May has been very dry and unusually cool,…

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Illinois Crop Update | May 15, 2026

  • May 15, 2026

  • Illinois Extension

Russ Higgins – Commercial Agriculture Educator
Grundy County
Soil Conditions: Near Normal
A favorable week for field work in the region. Many corn and soy fields were planted, and operations continue in the area. Earlier planted corn appears to be emerging with a slight advantage to soy. This week we will be starting the aphid suction collection trap in Morris, part of the Suction Trap Network that will be monitored through October.…

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WILLAg Business Week Review for May 8, 2026

  • May 10, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org radio broadcast content from the work week ending May 8, 2026.
Agricultural Markets Weekly Synthesis
Throughout the week, agricultural markets experienced significant volatility driven by fluctuating crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and the anticipation of upcoming governmental reports and international summits. Early in the week, Curt Kimmel reported that commodity funds aggressively bought contracts, pushing soybeans higher due to a risk premium returning to crude oil amidst Middle East tensions.…

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Illinois Crop Update | May 8, 2026

  • May 8, 2026

  • Illinois Extension

Kathryn Seebruck – Commercial Agriculture Educator
Stephenson County
Soil Conditions: Mildly Wet (soil is wetter than normal, local vegetation is healthy)
Field work and planting have been ongoing once fields dried enough following the significant rainfall events experienced in the area in mid-April. Although two weeks ago we experienced a number of uncharacteristically warm days, the weather this week continues to vary as some days have been relatively warm, but many nights have been relatively cool,…

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