Stephanie K Porter

The season isn’t over yet! 🌱 Join @SoybeanScience1 for 'Soybeans Down the Stretch: Managing Late-Season Challenges' on July 23 at noon CT to hear experts share practical tips to help you finish strong. Learn from researchers across the U.S. and get the latest updates on desiccation and harvest timing trials. Register at go.illinois.edu/S4Swebinar2026.

Crop Report (7/13) from Tim Laatsch: 🌽 Corn: Early fields are at R1-R2 with strong yield potential and low disease pressure. No southern rust or tar spot observed. Continue scouting before making fungicide decisions. 🌱 Soybeans: Early beans are at R3-R4 and improving as fields dry. Watch for waterhemp and Septoria brown spot, but disease and insect pressure remain low. Bottom line: Yield potential remains strong, and regular scouting is still the best management strategy. View the entire report here: bit.ly/430fRnJ

Heavy rains and warm temperatures can set the stage for late-season Phytophthora root and stem rot in soybeans. Learn what symptoms to watch for, why variety selection matters, and the management strategies that can help reduce future disease pressure. Read more: bit.ly/4wC8b8v

Red crown rot continues to challenge soybean growers—but researchers are making progress. Learn where the science stands today, what's being uncovered about disease management, and the tools that could shape future recommendations. Read more: bit.ly/45440GA

The latest HRRR shows some absolutely insane smoke on Thursday across WNY. If it comes to fruition it would be much worse than what we experienced a few years ago in 2023.

From weed management and soil health to ROI and sustainability, the 2026 Illinois Soybean Research Review highlights the latest findings designed to help you make informed decisions on your farm. 🌱 Click here to view this year's report: bit.ly/4vXogFT

Scouting critical to detect agronomic challenges early farmweeknow.com/profitability/… via @FarmWeekNow

We have a lot of incredible scouts catching rust development VERY early but so far all verifications appear to be common rust. Under a microscope, it is easier to see the maturing spores turning the brick red color. Keep scouting! #ISUCrops

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-…

Crew sampling R2 tissue today in the @ILSoybean funded tillage, cover crop, row spacing study! 📍Piatt County @ILextension

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-…

New post by Nick Seiter: Corn leaf aphids – when to scout and what to expect farmdoc.illinois.edu/field-crop-pro…

Keep and eye open and submit samples @MSUDiagnostics to confirm identification

See new research and innovation in action! 🗓️ ISA Agronomy Field Day | July 16 Click here to register and learn more: bit.ly/4fPKfJK

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…

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

2026 Seed Treatment Special agropages.com/magazine/detai…

Tonight, June 29, the Strawberry Moon rises as the lowest-hanging full moon in nearly 20 years for Northern Hemisphere viewers. It will not be matched until 2043. June full moons follow a low path because they sit opposite the high summer sun near the solstice. This year the effect is stronger due to the low point in the 18.6-year lunar cycle. The moon rises far southeast, traces a shallow arc low in the southern sky, and sets far southwest. Its low position near the horizon creates the moon illusion, making it appear larger and more dramatic. It may also look orange, red, or golden because its light passes through more atmosphere, scattering blue light and leaving warmer colors. The "Strawberry" name comes from the harvest season, not the color. The best view is around local moonrise.

Interested in corn rootworm trapping in IL? Let me know and we'll send the traps. farmdoc.illinois.edu/field-crop-pro…