cropCENTRAL | Field Crop Production Resources

by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
ISWS PRI University of Illinois
Temperatures moderated a little this week as wind patterns shifted. Average temperatures were in the mid-70s statewide, 2 to 4 degrees above average in northern Illinois, and right at the average in southern Illinois. High temperatures regularly reached into the upper 80s and low 90s, with a few places pushing over the 95-degree mark including 96 in Chicago and Quincy. The first half of July was 2 to 4 degrees warmer than average statewide,…

Russ Higgins – Commercial Agriculture Specialist
Grundy County
Soil Conditions: Near Normal
A favorable week for crop growth in the northeast region of Illinois. Corn is pollinating, despite predicted 90 degrees plus highs this week, most fields have adequate moisture and should not suffer despite elevated temperatures at this critical stage for the corn crop. I enjoy my early morning coffee looking across several corn and soy fields. This past week I noted most mornings start with a mist or fog.…

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending July 10, 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 commodity markets experienced a post-holiday upward surge early in the week, driven out of contract lows by deteriorating international crop conditions, technical buying,…

Kathryn Seebruck – Commercial Agriculture Educator   
Winnebago County 
Soil Conditions: Mildly Wet (soil is wetter than normal, local vegetation is healthy) 
With the ample rainfall received over the past month, some fields in the area with low spots still have standing water and areas where the crop will not recover. It is advised to be diligent about scouting as fungicide application decisions are being made. As has been shared in other reports,…