The Pro Farmer Crop Tour kicks off on Monday and concludes on Thursday. Here’s a look at what scouts will be watching for when they hit Illinois:
Illinois was one of the few states that saw a lower yield in 2025 than in 2024. Our outlook from the field a year ago noted the disappointing state of high production areas in Illinois, especially given the hype the crop was getting at the time. That could be the case again this year, as crop conditions in Illinois track below where they were a year ago. That is somewhat surprising given NDVI data pulled from Octopusbot, which shows relatively good conditions in all but southern portions of the state.
Field reports from Illinois still show a good looking corn crop, though signs of moisture stress were beginning to show toward the end of July. Subsequent widespread rainfall was welcome but heavy storms that covered much of northern and central Illinois this week may prove to be much of a good thing.
The growing season started off challenging, with rain totaling 147% of average in March, 153% in April, 47% in May, 155% in June, then 74% in July. The wet start led to some planting delays and uneven emergence, while the recent dryness and heat has led to some challenges as the crop rushes to the finish line.
Disease pressure in soybeans will be key. Last year, the further west in the Soy Belt you were, the bigger disease presence. This year, the moisture pattern favoring the east could flip the script. Given widespread fungal diseases a year ago, there is likely to be more of the same this year. The widespread rainfall in recent weeks is likely to further add to disease pressure as well.
USDA on Wednesday estimated an average Illinois corn yield of 212 bushels per acre, down from 214 bushels per acre last year. Soybeans were pegged at 67 bushels per acre, up from 62.5 bushels in 2025.
In 2025, we were the first to report on the disappointing state of the Illinois corn crop and warn of disease pressure in soybeans. Both of those concerns were warranted as both yields dropped from record expectations.
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