cropCENTRAL | Field Crop Production Resources

The 2026 University of Illinois Weed Science Field Research Tour

  • May 8, 2026

  • Aaron Hager

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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May 08 | Climate Review and Weather Update

  • May 8, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
ISWS PRI University of Illinois
Average temperatures in this first full week of May were actually a little cool, ranging from the high 40s in northern Illinois to the mid-50s in southern Illinois, between 3 and 8 degrees below normal. This followed an April that was a top five warmest on record statewide and felt like a bit of a bait and switch after a taste of summer-like weather last month.…

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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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Applied Research Results for 2025 Now Available

  • May 1, 2026

  • Nick Seiter

Each year, we conduct field evaluations, surveys, and other projects that have direct implications for pest management decisions made by Illinois farmers. For example, we conduct third-party evaluations of many of the insecticides and biotech traits available for corn rootworm control every season. Our annual report summarizes these findings for farmers, crop advisors, and others who have a stake in control decision-making. The 2025 report (along with previous reports dating back to 2018) can be found at the following link: https://go.illinois.edu/pestmanagementresearchreport.…

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May 01 | WILLAg Business Week Review

  • May 1, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending May 1, 2026.
Global Tensions, Speculative Buying, and Weather Concerns Drive Ag Markets
The agricultural commodity markets were heavily influenced by geopolitical tensions, speculative fund buying, and domestic weather concerns. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its impact on energy prices and fertilizer availability provided underlying support for feed grains. Crude oil prices climbing over $100 a barrel made ethanol more attractive,…

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May 01 | Climate Review and Weather Update

  • May 1, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
ISWS PRI University of Illinois
Well, the last week of April was much like the month as a whole. Average temperature ranged from the mid-50s in northern Illinois to high 60s in southern Illinois, between 5 and 10 degrees above average. The month as a whole ended between 4 and 8 degrees above average, likely making April a top 5 warmest on record statewide. With that said, clear skies on a few nights allowed early morning temperatures to regularly dip into the 30s this week,…

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Apr 24 | WILLAg Business Week Review

  • April 24, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending April 24, 2026.
Geopolitical Tensions and High Input Costs Dictate Choppy Grain Markets
The agricultural commodity markets experienced sideways, choppy trading heavily dictated by Middle East geopolitical tensions. Market analysts Mike Zuzolo, Matt Bennett, Curt Kimmel, Naomi Blohm, and Greg Johnson noted that fluctuating war premiums drove crude oil prices higher, which subsequently pulled biofuels and soybean oil to new highs while providing underlying support to the broader grain complex.…

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April 24 | Climate Review and Weather Update

  • April 24, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
ISWS PRI University of Illinois
Another very spring-like week across the state, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-50s in northern Illinois to the low 60s in southern Illinois, between 2 and 5 degrees above average. April to date has been 5 to 8 degrees warmer than average, and a top 10 warmest April on record statewide. Despite the warmth, nighttime temperatures did dip below freezing in northern and central Illinois a couple of times this week,…

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Apr 17 | WILLAg Business Week Edition

  • April 17, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

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,…

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Apr 17 | Climate Review and Weather Update

  • April 17, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

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.…

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