cropCENTRAL | Field Crop Production Resources

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,…

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.…

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.…

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.…