cropCENTRAL | Field Crop Production Resources

Each year, we conduct field evaluations, surveys, and other projects that have direct implications for pest management decisions made by Illinois farmers. For example, we conduct third-party evaluations of many of the insecticides and biotech traits available for corn rootworm control every season. Our annual report summarizes these findings for farmers, crop advisors, and others who have a stake in control decision-making. The 2025 report (along with previous reports dating back to 2018) can be found at the following link: https://go.illinois.edu/pestmanagementresearchreport.…

by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
ISWS PRI University of Illinois
Well, the last week of April was much like the month as a whole. Average temperature ranged from the mid-50s in northern Illinois to high 60s in southern Illinois, between 5 and 10 degrees above average. The month as a whole ended between 4 and 8 degrees above average, likely making April a top 5 warmest on record statewide. With that said, clear skies on a few nights allowed early morning temperatures to regularly dip into the 30s this week,…

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending April 24, 2026.
Geopolitical Tensions and High Input Costs Dictate Choppy Grain Markets
The agricultural commodity markets experienced sideways, choppy trading heavily dictated by Middle East geopolitical tensions. Market analysts Mike Zuzolo, Matt Bennett, Curt Kimmel, Naomi Blohm, and Greg Johnson noted that fluctuating war premiums drove crude oil prices higher, which subsequently pulled biofuels and soybean oil to new highs while providing underlying support to the broader grain complex.…

by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
ISWS PRI University of Illinois
Another very spring-like week across the state, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-50s in northern Illinois to the low 60s in southern Illinois, between 2 and 5 degrees above average. April to date has been 5 to 8 degrees warmer than average, and a top 10 warmest April on record statewide. Despite the warmth, nighttime temperatures did dip below freezing in northern and central Illinois a couple of times this week,…