Illinois Soybean Planting Gains But Corn Lags Behind

Illinois farmers are experiencing a mixed start to the 2025 planting season, with corn planting behind historical pace while soybean progress is slightly ahead of schedule, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress Report released April 21.

Corn Acres: Behind the Curve

Corn planting in Illinois reached 7%, a 6% increase from the previous week, but still lagging the 5-year average of 11%. This was a 6% jump in planted corn acres from the previous week. 

Ryan Gentle, Wyffels Agronomy Manager, saw nearly close to perfect field conditions in West Central Illinois. 

“Almost every field had some sort of activity going on,” said Gentle. “Conditions were close to ideal. Most planted beans the first couple days of the week then switched over to corn or started the second planter on corn later in the week.” 

In his territory, early-planted corn can be rowed west of Springfield. With the warm temperatures, he expects the emergence for corn planted last week in 8-10 days.

Soybeans: Ahead of the 5-year Average 

Soybean planting surged to 10%, up from just 2% the previous week and ahead of the 5-year average of 7%. 

In Gentle’s region, he has seen several growers finish planting soybeans and March-planted soybeans can now be rowed.

Winter Wheat: Steady Conditions

Winter wheat headed reached 5%, only slightly behind the 5-year average of 6%. Crop conditions remain steady, with winter wheat condition rated 1% very poor, 6% poor, 38% fair, 49% good, and 6% excellent.

Excessive Moisture in Areas

The latest USDA Crop Progress report shows Illinois had 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending April 20, 2025.

“Planters started to roll again across Southern Illinois on April 16,” said Phil Krieg, Agronomy Service Representative for Syngenta Crop Protection. “But late on April 18 and throughout Easter weekend, rain sent everyone back to the shed again. Rainfall amounts ranged from 0.5 to 4 inches.”

He’s optimistic that activity will start back up again later this week in areas that received lighter rainfall amounts.  

Krieg has concerns about the excess water in Southeast Illinois. 

“The Embarras and Little Wabash Rivers are still out of their banks with thousands of acres along the Interstate 64 corridor still underwater,” said Krieg. 

He expects the additional rainfall they’ve received will keep the river out for some time, and this could impact crop planting decisions and, ultimately, has the potential to create prevent planting scenarios in the area. 

Topsoil moisture supply was rated 1% very short, 7% short, 72% adequate, and 20% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 2% very short, 13% short, 73% adequate, and 12% surplus.