By Andi Anderson
Illinois farmers are seeing encouraging crop conditions as the growing season progresses. According to observations shared on the Outstanding in the Field podcast, corn and soybean crops across many parts of the state are looking healthy, while wheat producers have also reported strong yields this year.
The 2026 soft red winter wheat harvest delivered impressive results in Illinois. Wendell Good, 2026 Illinois Wheat Association Yield Contest winner from Tazewell County, achieved a yield of 145.1 bushels per acre. Wayne Probst of Effingham County, earned third place with a yield of 136.6 bushels per acre, highlighting the strong performance of wheat production in the state.
Corn development is progressing well in many areas. Early-planted corn fields have reached the R4 dough stage, with some kernels beginning to dent as the crop moves closer to maturity. Disease pressure in corn remains low, although a small number of fields have reported gray leaf spot and Physoderma brown spot.
Soybean crops are also advancing steadily. Early-planted soybean fields are currently in the R5 beginning seed stage. The main disease observed is Septoria brown spot, which is affecting lower canopy leaves. This condition is common during this stage of crop development and is not considered a major concern in most fields.
Farmers are also monitoring insect activity. Japanese beetles have been found in several fields, but damage levels remain below treatment thresholds. As a result, widespread insect control measures have not been necessary.
While overall crop conditions remain positive, severe weather continues to challenge some producers. Fields affected by storms and flooding have experienced nitrogen deficiency, higher disease pressure, poor weed control, and reduced plant populations, which may affect yields.
Economic trends are also influencing farm decisions. A recent analysis by the University of Illinois FarmDoc team found that soybean production has been more profitable than corn in ten of the last thirteen years. Increased use of soybean oil in the biofuels industry has helped strengthen domestic demand and improve soybean market opportunities.
Researchers are also exploring new fertilizer management approaches. Dr. Andrew Margenot, University of Illinois soil scientist, and his team are studying whether testing harvested corn and soybean grain for phosphorus and potassium levels could provide a more accurate estimate of fertilizer replacement needs than traditional soil testing methods.
As farmers continue monitoring crop development, profitability remains a key focus. As Doug Gucker, Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator, emphasized, "As always, stay safe while farming, and remember, it's profit per acre, not yield per acre that keeps you in business. Thanks for listening."
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ygrek
Categories: Illinois, Harvesting