What’s Going on With Illinois Corn and Soybeans?

According to the USDA’s most recent Crop Progress report released on May 12, Illinois corn planting is running 6 percentage points behind the five-year average. Soybean planting is running 3 percentage points ahead of the five-year average, according to the report. Take a closer look at the numbers and get some first-hand perspective from agronomists in Illinois. 

Corn Planting and Emergence

Despite the 24-percentage-point increase from the previous week, corn planting is still 6 percentage points behind the five-year average in Illinois, according to Monday’s report. Illinois is the Midwestern state that’s farthest behind on corn planting progress. It may be due to a lack of open windows in the southern part of the state because of a rainfall pattern. 

Southern Illinois has seen consistent rainfall, causing delays in planting. St. Louis recorded its wettest April on record since 1893, and precipitation doesn’t seem to be letting up. 

“Last week was another idle week in southern Illinois,” Syngenta Agronomist Phil Krieg said.  “No planting progress on corn or soybeans — we are sitting at the same planting progress as three weeks ago.”

Corn emergence in the state is behind the five-year average by 1 percentage point, according to the report. However, Krieg said in reference to both crops in the southern part of the state, “Emergence, for the small percentage that is planted, is very slow and the color is pale.”

According to Farm Credit Illinois, the final crop insurance deadline for corn in southern Illinois is May 31 and June 20 for soybeans. Krieg said “If we lose another week or so, we will pivot to more soybeans and prevent planting.” 

While progress may be lagging in the southern part of the state, planting conditions throughout other regions have been more favorable. Ryan Gentle, agronomy manager for Wyffels Hybrids, said farmers in western Illinois are nearing the finish line for corn and soybeans.

“Western Illinois is virtually done with corn and bean planting, and stands — for the most part — look good,” Gentle said. “Once you get an hour south of Springfield, it is a different story, and areas just east of St. Louis have done very little planting of either crop due to rains almost everyday.” 

Gentle reiterated that stands in western Illinois look good, and that he’s seen minimal issues with some fields. 

“There is a small percentage of lightly worked ground that was planted Easter weekend that has had some crusting issues,” Gentle said. “There has been some hoeing and minimal replant of both crops in these fields.” 

Soybean Progress and Emergence

According to Monday’s Crop Progress report, slightly more than half of Illinois soybeans are planted, which is 3 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Soybean emergence sits at 22%, 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. 

Looking Ahead

Corn throughout the entire United States well surpassed the halfway point, at 62% planted. Gentle said as farmers in Southern Illinois look for open windows, it will be “go time.” 

“Growers in southern Illinois are trying to make sure all equipment and inputs are ready to go whenever they get a window,” Gentle said. “It will be all hands on deck and bigger operations will be running multiple planters and sprayers.”