The Bulletin Archives - Page 4 of 79

Illinois Crop Update – August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025
Illinois Extension

Emily Hansen – Commercial Agriculture Educator
LaSalle County
Soil Conditions: Mildly Wet (soil is wetter than normal, local vegetation is healthy)
The heat and humidity has finally broken today after what feels like a very miserable few weeks. Over the past week rainfall in LaSalle, Bureau, Marshall, and Putnam counties has been sporadic, with some areas seeing nearly 6 inches and others seeing less than an inch. Crops in areas that received less rainfall are still looking a little heat stressed.…

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Red Crown Rot Progressing in Illinois: Symptoms Confirmed in Shelby County Commercial Fields

July 28, 2025
Boris X. Camiletti

Symptoms of Red Crown Rot (RCR), caused by the soilborne fungus Calonectria ilicicola, are now appearing in commercial soybean fields. As of July 29, 2025, leaf, stem, and root symptoms have been observed in commercial fields in Shelby County, an area with a known history of RCR dating back to 2023. Additional cases have been confirmed in research plots in Madison and Macoupin counties, which also have recurring disease pressure.
In Shelby County,…

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Jul 25 | Market Review and Weather Update

July 25, 2025
Todd Gleason

by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
Illinois State Water Survey | Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois
Another week of hot and humid weather across the state had me October dreaming. Average temperature this week ranged from the mid-70s in northern Illinois to the mid-80s in southern Illinois, between 2 and 6 degrees above normal. Virtually all parts of the state saw multiple days with high temperatures well into the 90s, including 98 degrees in Rock Island and 96 in Mt Vernon.…

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Empowering IL Soybean Producers: Harnessing Climate Tools ($350 for first 25 registrants)

July 25, 2025
Trent Ford

Calling all corn and soybean producers and agricultural advisers! The United Soybean Board (USB), in partnership with the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC), Illinois Extension, Illinois State Water Survey (Illinois State Climatologist) and the Illinois Soybean Association, invites you to a virtual workshop informing the future of the MRCC’s Ag Climate Dashboard and new ag climate tool production.
The Ag Climate Dashboard provides climate and agricultural data for producers, advisers, and researchers in the Midwest. Here’s a sneak peek.…

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Illinois Crop Update – July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025
Illinois Extension

Steve Brand– Commercial Agriculture Specialist
DeKalb County
Soil Conditions: Near Normal
Its another hot week upon as a heat dome settles down on the Midwest as a whole. July so far has brought 3.5 – 5 inches of rain depending on the area you are in, excluding Will county which is still in a somewhat severe drought. Northwest Illinois is on pace for historical averages and enjoying a great growing season. South of Chicago and some of the suburban counties are drier than normal and continue to be in either a D1 or D2 drought.…

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Red Crown Rot Symptoms Emerging in Illinois Soybeans

July 21, 2025
Boris X. Camiletti

Symptoms of Red Crown Rot (RCR), caused by the soilborne fungus Calonectria ilicicola, have begun to appear in our 2025 field trials at Illinois farms in Madison and Macoupin counties with a known history of the disease (Figure 1). Similar observations are being reported by colleagues in Kentucky and Indiana, indicating regional disease activity is underway.

Figure 1. Early foliar symptoms of red crown rot in soybean observed in Madison and Macoupin counties on July 17,…

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Southern Rust Now Confirmed in Illinois: Scouting and Management Recommendations

July 19, 2025
Boris X. Camiletti

Southern rust of corn, caused by the fungus Puccinia polysora, has now been confirmed in Illinois during the 2025 season, with detections in Perry County in southern Illinois and McLean County in central Illinois. This marks a significant development since the previous update on July 15. With southern rust now present in the state, it is critical for farmers and agronomists to stay alert, scout actively, and be ready to implement timely management strategies to protect yield.…

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Illinois Crop Update – July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025
Illinois Extension

Steve Brand– Commercial Agriculture Specialist
DeKalb County
Soil Conditions: Mildly Dry (soil is drier than normal, plant growth may have slowed)
The rains have finally arrived in northern IL with a handful of widespread storm events with more starting this weekend and pushing into next week. Most areas have reverted to D0 or D1 drought status and crops are doing well. Will county is the only area still in a D2 drought.…

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Jul 18 | Market Review and Weather Update

July 18, 2025
Todd Gleason

by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
Illinois State Water Survey | Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois
It was another hot, humid, and stormy week across the Prairie State. Average temperatures this week ranged from the low 70s in far northern Illinois to the low 80s in southern Illinois, between 1 and 5 degrees above normal. July temperatures to date have been 1 to 3 degrees above normal across Illinois.
An active stormtrack with abundant humidity created multiple rounds of storms this week.…

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Southern Rust Confirmed Near Illinois: What You Need to Know

July 15, 2025
Todd Gleason, Boris X. Camiletti

Southern rust of corn, caused by the fungus Puccinia polysora, has recently been confirmed in counties of Indiana and Kentucky bordering southern Illinois. While not yet confirmed in Illinois this season, its proximity makes it important to stay alert, scout actively, and be prepared to manage the disease if it arrives.
Recognizing Southern Rust
Southern rust produces small, orange to light-brown pustules typically found on the upper surface of corn leaves, often concentrated in the upper canopy.…

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