cropCENTRAL | Field Crop Production Resources

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending September 25, 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
Commodity markets throughout the week navigated harvest progression, macroeconomic headwinds, and shifting expectations surrounding U.S.–China trade relations. On Monday, Ben Brown (University of Missouri Extension/FAPRI) reported that early-week rallies in corn and soybeans were supported by rising energy prices and optimism regarding an upcoming meeting between President Trump and President Xi Jinping.…

Steve Brand – Commercial Agronomy Specialist
DeKalb County
Soil Conditions: Moderately Wet (soil is damp, standing water may be present in low areas, water bodies are full)
After a wet finish to last week and more systems moving through over the weekend, we have some very wet and saturated soils across northern Illinois. Corn and Soybeans continue to dry down, but that has slowed with the rain and cooler weather moving in.…

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending September 18, 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, agricultural commodity markets were shaped by early harvest progress, surging energy-related transportation surcharges, speculative fund activity, and geopolitical and macroeconomic developments.…

Russ Higgins – Commercial Agriculture Educator
Grundy County
Soil Conditions: Mildly Dry (soil is drier than normal, plant growth may have slowed)
Rain is expected for Northeast Illinois this week, if it materializes it will provide needed moisture. Its benefit to most crops at this stage is uncertain, but we will decrease the fire risk associated with starting harvest when crops are tinder dry. It’s becoming a challenge to share information on the 2026 crop;…