Day 1

We left Champaign County about 2:00 and headed to our only two stops for the day.  Before we left we noted that the 2 inches of rain that fell along I-74 late Monday left behind several twisted corn fields from the high winds that came with the rains. The rain was not widespread at all.  10 miles north or south of Champaign received very little to no rain.

Stop 1 was just south of Wenona, IL.  This is in northeastern Marshall County.  The corn was very good.  35,000 ppa at V9-V10.  Soils were dry in the top two inches but there was some moisture at the 3 inch level.  This field has very high yield potential at this time. 

Stop 2 was about 90 miles straight north on US 39 about 20 miles south of Rockford Il in Ogle county. This was a corn on corn field that was not as far along as the first field. I would estimate that it was planted in mid May.  34,000 ppa at V7-V8.  High yield potential at this time but this field was noticeably drier.  Might have been due to the corn on corn but it was drier.  No cracks in the soils, but looking like it could use a rain.

Overall in 400 miles from Champaign to La Crosse WI, we saw good looking crops.  It was 83 degrees and sunny but the plants did not show any visual signs of stress.