cropCENTRAL | Field Crop Production Resources

Despite June temperatures averaging near normal across Illinois, weather conditions shifted dramatically during the second half of the month. The first half of June was very warm, with temperatures ranging from 3 to 10°F above normal. Conditions then turned cooler and much wetter during the second half of the month as multiple rounds of storms moved through Illinois. Total June rainfall ranged from about 2 inches (localized areas in southern Illinois) to more than 10 inches in other parts;…

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending July 3, 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.

Weekly Agricultural Markets Synthesis
The agricultural markets during this period were characterized by a transition from technical liquidation to a highly sensitive weather- and policy-driven environment. Prior to the release of the June 30 USDA reports,…

by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
ISWS PRI University of Illinois
Temperatures this week packed a punch, ranging from the high 70s in northern Illinois to the low 80s in southern Illinois, between 1 and 4 degrees above average. This week featured our first real summer heat wave across the state, as high temperatures reached into the mid 90s, with very high humidity pushing peak heat index values well over 100. However, that persistent humidity and very warm nights were the truly remarkable feature of this heat wave.…

Steve Brand – Commercial Agriculture Specialist
Dekalb County
Soil Conditions: Mildly Wet (soil is wetter than normal, local vegetation is healthy)
The heat wave is upon us this week bringing 90+ degree temperatures with very high humidity. After a few weeks of cooler weather and lots of precipitation, the corn and soybeans that were not waterlogged are thriving, and have jumped multiple growth stages since last week. I scouted corn fields anywhere between V5/V6 up to V10 with rapid growth from all the heat units being added into the environment.…