Emerging Issues:

Harvest Progress:

• Corn Harvest: 36% completed, running ahead of the 30% five-year average pace
• Corn Maturity: 92% of the corn crop is mature, beating the 88% five-year average
• Soybean Harvest: 31% completed, running slightly ahead of the 29% five-year average
• Soybeans Dropping Leaves: 87%, slightly behind the 90% five-year average

Late-season weather and the 2026 Illinois corn crop

Illinois corn faced flooding and saturated soils early in the season, but adequate moisture and favorable late-season conditions have helped support yield potential. Some fields experienced reduced kernel set from heat and moisture stress during pollination, though healthy canopies may help compensate during grain fill. The USDA currently projects a statewide average yield of 212 bushels per acre, with final yields depending on late-season conditions and flood impacts.

New Resource: Managing Herbicide Carryover for Cover Crops

This new resource from American Farmland Trust intends to help growers evaluate herbicide programs and identify potential risks of herbicide carryover to cover crop establishment.

Weather updates:

Illinois Severe Weather Update

Illinois experienced a historic year for severe weather in 2026, setting a new state record with 210 tornadoes by early September and recording the largest hailstone ever documented in the state near Kankakee. Illinois also faced numerous flash floods, derechos, and severe thunderstorms throughout the year. While researchers are still studying the relationship between climate change and severe weather, evidence suggests that conditions favorable for severe storms have increased in Illinois in recent decades.

Research updates:

Rethinking Phosphorus and Potassium, Part 3: Economics

Producers may have opportunities to reduce phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer costs by taking a closer look at actual crop nutrient removal and field-specific soil test results. The article notes that relying solely on standard removal rates can sometimes lead to overapplication, especially when fertilizer prices are high. Farmers are encouraged to evaluate the economic return of P and K applications through check strips, grain nutrient testing, and careful review of soil fertility levels before making fall fertilizer decisions.

Detecting Tillage Practices from Space: A New Approach to Monitoring Conservation Agriculture in the US Midwest

University of Illinois researchers have developed a satellite-based method to track tillage practices across the Midwest, providing annual estimates of no-till, reduced tillage, and conventional tillage at the county level. The data show a gradual but uneven shift toward conservation tillage from 2000-2022, with no-till adoption increasing most notably in soybean production and in drier western regions. Researchers suggest these maps could help improve conservation program targeting by identifying areas where conservation tillage adoption remains limited or is declining.

University of Illinois researchers receive $1.6 million to improve fertilizer efficiency

Andrew Margenot and John Jones of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign received nearly $1.6 million in funding to study ways to improve nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer efficiency under Midwestern growing conditions. Their research will evaluate how fertilizer products and management practices affect crop performance, profitability, and nutrient losses through runoff and leaching. The goal is to provide farmers with science-based recommendations that improve nutrient use efficiency while supporting water quality and environmental stewardship.

U of I researchers develop interactive tool to track agricultural injuries, strengthen prevention efforts

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed an interactive Agricultural Injury Dashboard that allows users to explore agricultural injury data by location, injury type, demographics, and other factors. The tool uses data from five Midwestern states collected between 2016 and 2024 and is designed to help educators, researchers, and safety professionals identify trends and target injury prevention efforts. Researchers hope the dashboard will support more effective agricultural safety education and reduce injuries and fatalities in farming communities.

Save the Date: PSEP Testing 2027!

Please watch the Illinois Department of Agriculture website for updates on training and testing registration.

Training/Testing Clinic: Starved Rock Lodge - Oglesby | December 2, 2026 | Training: 8:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. | Testing: 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

LaSalle County Private only:

• IVCC: January 13
• LaSalle County Extension office: February 11

Bureau County All tests:

• Bureau County Extension office: February 8
• Bureau County Extension office: March 23

Marshall-Putnam County All tests:

• Marshall-Putnam County Extension office: February 10
• Marshall-Putnam County Extension office: March 24

Additional resources:

The Illinois Agricultural Mental Health Voucher Program connects agricultural producers and their families with local mental health professionals. This program enables producers to seek mental health services at no cost to the producer and their family. For more information visit go.illinois.edu/MentalHealthVoucher 

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