Field Advisor

Don't miss the @ILSoybean Agronomy Farm Field Day on THURSDAY! Register now: bit.ly/44lEwUU

Join us Tuesday, July 14, for the Nutrient Research Field Day to learn about the latest research on cover crops and other conservation practices! Abigail Peterson, ISA Director of Agronomy, will be presenting a field talk on cover crop biomass and weed suppression trials. Register here: bit.ly/4wsrYa7

A few dry days over the Fourth of July weekend allowed us to finish post-emerge soybean herbicide applications. With spraying wrapped up, we turned our attention to crop scouting in corn and soybeans. We're beginning to see corn aphids and some disease pressure, including common rust, gray leaf spot (GLS), and northern corn leaf blight (NCLB). Continued scouting will be critical over the next few weeks as we evaluate potential fungicide and insecticide needs. Weekend rainfall ranged from 0.5–3.5 inches across the region, with northern areas receiving the highest totals. This week, we'll continue scouting fields and addressing any soybean weed escapes. Wheat harvest is nearly complete, and cooler temperatures should provide favorable conditions for baling. You can find Brandon Hall's crop report here: bit.ly/4vn4PVY

Is sulfur part of your nutrient management plan? 🌱 A recent webinar with @BecksHybrids and the @ILSoybean explores sulfur's role in corn and soybean production, where it can provide the greatest return, and why field-specific decisions matter. Read the recap and watch the webinar here: fieldadvisor.org/becks-hybrids-…

June 29 at the ISA Agronomy Farm—gearing up for wheat harvest and double-crop planting! These two varieties were picked based on Dr. @JRutkoski double-crop research—looking at jointing time, maturity and yield to help farmers make smarter decisions. Read more at bit.ly/4vfSPFs

Cover crops can prevent residual herbicides from reaching the soil, but rain can wash a portion of those herbicides to the ground – as long as an individual herbicide chemistry allows it! Consider applying residual herbicides early-postemergence when planting green to maximize how much reaches the soil, and know that certain herbicides have more potential to wash-off cover crop residues than others. Learn more in today’s article: growiwm.org/planting-green… #growiwm #integratedweedmanagement #farming #agriculture #rowcrops #covercrops #cerealrye #rollcrimping #herbicides

How do cereal rye, winter barley, and no cover crop compare for weed suppression? 🌱 Three Illinois farmers are putting them to the test this season to see how cover crops affect weeds and soybean performance. Follow along and learn more about the trial: fieldadvisor.org/on-farm-trial-…

Can you tank-mix deer repellents with herbicides to tackle two field challenges at once? 🌱🦌 New research shows that while deer repellents generally don't reduce herbicide performance, they also don't provide consistent, long-term deer control. See what the findings mean for weed management and protecting soybean yields. Read more: fieldadvisor.org/how-do-deer-re…

Does prophylactic foliar fertilizer pay in soybeans? In most cases, the research says no. A multi-site study found that routine foliar fertilizer applications rarely increased yield or profitability unless a nutrient deficiency was present. Read more from Rachel Vann: fieldadvisor.org/will-prophylac…

Crop Report from Tim Laatsch on June 19th in Effingham County: "2026 may be the tale of two....maybe even three seasons. Early planted crops are clearly out to a strong start, but the “middle window” was a challenge. Many fields struggled to emerge, leading to replanting on quite a few acres. That middle-season corn is now at V5–V7 and really taking off, though we’re seeing some unevenness—likely tied to compaction and saturated soils earlier on. Soft red winter wheat is nearing harvest, and a few fields have already been cut locally. Early reports point to very strong yields, and we’re excited to get rolling. Another 1.9" of rain this week, along with powerful storms and tornadoes that caused widespread damage in the area. Side-dress N and post herbicide in corn should wrap up next week. Some early planted soybeans got post-herbicide applications before the big rain."

Crop residue is one of agriculture’s greatest assets—and one of its biggest planting challenges. The key is finding the balance: protecting soil health while avoiding issues like cooler soils, nutrient tie-up and planter performance problems. Read more from Brandon Hall, CCA, IL Soy Envoy: bit.ly/4aa2XIf

Attend the Orr Agricultural Center Agronomy Field Day on July 15 to see some presentations that consist of Illinois Soybean Association Checkoff-funded research!

Dr. Rachel Vann, University of Illinois Associate Professor of Cropping Systems, met with Darby Danzl and Stephanie Porter from the ISA Soybean Production team to evaluate wheat conditions at a current ISA On-Farm Trial Network (OFTN) double-crop field near Bloomington, IL. This trial evaluates three planting populations of double-crop soybeans following wheat to identify the most economical seeding rate. Results will help farmers determine optimum populations that balance seed cost with yield under Illinois conditions. To learn more about this study and other OFTN research, you can visit bit.ly/4hzkvQd

When it comes to glufosinate, the right combination of sunlight, temperature, humidity and coverage can make all the difference—especially as resistance challenges grow. Find out what conditions Stephanie Porter, CCA, says deliver the best results: bit.ly/4ej49ub

Planting is wrapping up on the ISA Agronomy Farm! In response, Darby Danzl relocated the weather station to prepare for the addition of a new sensor: soil probes. If you are curious to see the weather data we are collecting, visit ilsoy.org/isa-agronomy-f… to check out current conditions and recent weather summaries. Darby and Stephanie also scouted the emergence of corn and soybeans in all the research plots and observed how the wheat is progressing.

Crop Report from Brandon Hall on May 30th in Knox County: "Crops are taking off with heat and sunshine, as corn ranges from V2–V6 (early fields looking strong) and soybeans hit V1–V3. Wheat is now heading and flowering. Recent 1–1.5” rains helped break the soil crust and improve field conditions. Post-emerge spraying and top-dress applications are underway, but with temps in the 80s–90s, crops will need another 0.5–0.75” of rain soon to activate herbicides and stay ahead of weeds." Read Brandon's full report on Field Advisor. bit.ly/43gGnKc

Save the Date! 🌱 The Illinois Soybean Association Agronomy Farm Field Day in Heyworth, IL is on Thursday, July 16, from 3:00–6:15 p.m.! Don't miss an afternoon of agronomic updates, field demonstrations and networking with growers and industry experts. More details coming soon—stay tuned!

Crop Report from Stephanie Porter on June 2nd in Montgomery County: "Fieldwork picked up over the weekend with final planting, replanting, and post herbicide apps on early April beans. Corn (V7) is showing micronutrient deficiencies due to shallow roots, while soybeans (V4) are showing bacterial blight. Warmer nights in the 60s should accelerate growth—but spotty rain in and out of the forecast continues to make planning tricky." Read Stephanie's full report on Field Advisor: fieldadvisor.org/crop-report/en…

.@ILSoybean agronomist @SKayPorter breaks down what Illinois field data shows about the factors driving early soybean herbicide injury. fieldadvisor.org/top-10-lessons…

Emma Wyman of Lincoln Land Community College shares how @ILSoybean's mentorship program broadened her understanding of the diverse and innovative career paths shaping today’s agriculture industry. fieldadvisor.org/exploring-the-…