Field Advisor

Every year, we publish results from field trials that we feel translate directly to farmer practices - insecticide and fungicide efficacy, pest surveys, and resistance bioassays. You can find the 2025 results (along with previous years) at go.illinois.edu/pestmanagement…

IL Soy Envoy Scott Krone shares perspective on evaluating soybean stands this planting season. Listen to the full episode on FieldAdvisor.org!

Crop report from IL Soy Envoy Tim Laatsch on May 1 in Effingham County: "3.61 inches of rain for the week of April 26 has put a halt to field operations. Early planted soybeans look excellent. Early corn has emerged and is off to a good start, despite the cooler temperatures. Most corn planted in the window before the large rain still has not emerged. Replant operations appear to be likely on those acres. Soft red winter wheat has headed out, and anthers have appeared, triggering aerial applications of head scab fungicide." Read Tim's full report on Field Advisor! fieldadvisor.org/crop-report/en…

In the latest episode of the Field Advisor podcast, IL Soy Envoy @matt_montgo discusses the 2026 planting season progression and why the calendar remains an advantage. Listen to the full podcast on FieldAdvisor.org.

Crop report from Stephanie Porter on May 1 in Montgomery County: "There has been no field activity since we received 3.5 to 4 inches of rain last Monday (4/27/26). Rain came down at a record pace and caused flooding. As a result, there was some ponding. Soils are still saturated, and crops are tattered from wind and minor hail. The stands of early planted crops look good despite the weather. Soybeans that were struggling to emerge, with snapped necks in crusted soils, look better, and soybeans continue to emerge, so stands could improve. Corn that was hindered in crusted soils looks significantly better, with good stand counts, but with some gaps in rows. Those who planted right before the heavy rains fear they may need to replant." Read Stephanie's full report on FieldAdvisor.org! fieldadvisor.org/crop-report/en…

NEW EPISODE: IL Soy Envoys, Scott Krone and @matt_montgo, and @ILSoybean agronomist Stephanie Porter share a timely Illinois crop update, covering planting progress, weather impacts and early-season management decisions. fieldadvisor.org/from-planting-…

.@matt_montgo, CCA, Ph.D., Agronomy Education Lead at Beck's Hybrids, is sharing his expertise as a 2026 IL Soy Envoy! Check out his latest blogs and expert perspectives here: fieldadvisor.org/author/mmontgo…

This tool from @GetRidOfWeeds aims to help farmers get a quick overview of how many active ingredients in their herbicide program are actually effective modes of action against their target weeds. fieldadvisor.org/use-this-grow-…

Colder temps? @ILSoybean Outreach Agronomist Stephanie Porter, CCA, recommends patience when evaluating fields post-frost. Listen below and hear the full podcast on FieldAdvisor.org.

Carbon programs need to work better for farmers — not just the companies behind them. Take this 5-min farmer survey to inform payment levels, contract flexibility, and program requirements: surveymonkey.com/r/VZL7C62 #carbonmarkets #farmersurvey

SCN can reproduce on over 100 common weeds, letting nematode populations increase before soybeans are planted. Plant pathologist @jpsbond shares how to prevent weeds from undermining your active SCN management strategies. :thescncoalition.com/news/2026/04/0…

Red crown rot another challenge for central #Illinois #farmer Ken Franklin. Story and interview at @brownfield. #AgNews #ILAgNews #soybeans brownfieldagnews.com/news/red-crown…

Join us in welcoming Central Sisters own Marissa Scott as a 2026 IL Soy Envoy! 🌱 Marissa is a fifth-generation farmer from Newark, IL, where she helps grow corn and soybeans on her family farm. Follow along with Marissa and her twin sister, Maddie, as they share an inside look at everyday farm life on social media—and don’t miss Marissa’s insights as a contributor to Field Advisor. Learn more: fieldadvisor.org/soy-envoys/

After three years, soybean yield dipped slightly after a cover crop, and added fertilizer improved yield in only one of three locations. Read more from @SoyResearchInfo. fieldadvisor.org/studying-soybe…

Thanks to @ilsoilnerd for sharing the drone footage of soybeans being planted across sulfur trial treatments for @ILSoybean's On-Farm Trial Network. We look forward to sharing updates throughout the growing season! To learn more about the trial, visit: bit.ly/49c7wRE

Crop report from IL Soy Envoy @ilsoilnerd on April 24th in Knox County: "We started off the week with unfavorable (15-20 mph-plus) winds, which kept us out of the field for the first half of the week. In the meantime, we have kept busy finishing up spring anhydrous ammonia and delivering seed to customers. We continue to make progress with trials, such as our HumiK trial near Lomax, Ill., where we spread dry fertilizer on Friday, now just to plant, and our ISA on-farm Sulfur 2.0 trial also was planted on Saturday. Wednesday, we started spraying, and a lot of local farmers have started planting as well. Friday morning, we were set back a day from 0.10-0.20 inch of rain. Last Friday, we got severe storms with 1-2 inches of rain, high winds and hail. Temperatures have been in the 50s, with frost overnight. We are expecting more severe storms this next week, which could set everyone back with fieldwork once again." Read Brandon's full report on FieldAdvisor.org - fieldadvisor.org/crop-report/en…

Crop report from Darby Danzl on April 22 in Macon County: "Cover crops and winter wheat have tripled in size over the past three weeks at our demonstration site, and beneficial insects are beginning to make their spring appearance. Field activity also is picking up in the area, with planters rolling and sprayers operating in fields I passed." Read Darby's full report on FieldAdvisor.org! fieldadvisor.org/crop-report/en…

Crop report from Stephanie Porter on April 24 in Montgomery County: "Many had just started to get back into the field after last weekend’s (about 1 inch) rain but have stopped again after today’s rain. A high percentage of fields have been planted, and you can now see around 35% soybean and corn emergence from the road. Overall, both corn and soybean stands and populations look good after last weekend’s cold snap and rain. Some fields that were planted around April 9 or 10 are struggling to emerge in fields that are crusted. One soybean field had necks that were breaking in crusted conditions, and these plants will not survive. Plant populations will need to be reevaluated in another five to seven days to see if replant is needed. Many days have been very windy and not suitable for herbicide applications. Morningglories were seen emerging while scouting soybeans." Read Stephanie's full report on FieldAdvisor.org. fieldadvisor.org/crop-report/en…

How many soybean plants are enough? 🌱 Check out our new article in @cropforageturf reviewing factors influencing plant population, yield response, and economic optimum density across the U.S. @ILextension @SoybeanScience1 @FieldAdvisor acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cf…

Crop report from Kelly Robertson on April 23 in Saline County: "There have been reports of cutworm activity in Saline County. Fields at greatest risk to cutting and economic damage are in the one- to four-leaf stage of plant development. An early warning sign of potential economic damage includes small pinhole feeding injury in leaves (caused by the first three instars). Do not assume that all Bt hybrids offer the same level of cutworm protection. A nominal threshold of 3% cutting of plants has traditionally been used as a point at which growers should consider a rescue treatment. For more information, go to extension.cropsciences.illinois.edu/fieldcrops/ins…."