Just weeks ago, many Illinois farmers were looking at what appeared to be an exceptional crop. Strong stands, favorable early-season conditions and plenty of yield potential had many growers feeling optimistic about the season ahead.
But that outlook changed quickly as a series of severe storms moved across the state. From damaging hail and high winds to repeated heavy rainfall, fields that once looked like they were headed toward strong yields are now showing significant stress, with some acres beyond recovery.
USDA’s latest look at crop conditions shows 58% of Illinois’ corn crop is rated good to excellent. Nearly one-third is considered fair. Only 13% is considered poor to very poor.
Yet, Ken Ferrie, founder of Crop-Tech Consulting, says the combination of weather extremes this year has been unlike anything he’s seen in recent years.
“The amount of wind and hail damage we’re dealing with this year is kind of out of proportion,” Ferrie says. “We have hail and wind damage every year, but usually six or seven calls. This year’s just been dozens and dozens of calls of hail damage. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen this many large-scale acres that I believe are going to be zeroed out.”
An individual who fields hail damage claims says in northern Illinois, he’s had 150 claims so far. Yet, in southern Illinois, those claims have topped 1,500. Those numbers show just how difficult this year has been.
When you look at why, Ferrie says some of the storms brought one- to three-inch hail, wind gusts near 88 mph and heavy rainfall that left widespread damage across townships, sections and counties throughout central Illinois.
“The hail on the beans looks tough, but most of those beans are going to survive. We’re going to have some type of crop there to deal with. The corn that got zeroed out, it’s probably over. It’s probably collecting the insurance check and managing the weeds at that point,” says Ferrie.
Water Damage Adds Another Layer of Stress
While hail has created some of the most visible destruction, Ferrie says excessive moisture has become the bigger issue impacting his customer base. The timing of the rainfall has been especially frustrating because many fields entered the season with strong yield potential before conditions quickly shifted.
“A month and a half ago, we had a phenomenal crop, phenomenal stand. Everything was off to the run, and we were going to kick it through the goalpost,” Ferrie says. “We did end up dry, and there was a lot of concern about how dry we were going to be. Then it turned around, and it’s just been rain, rain and rain.”
Ferrie points to repeated rainfall events that have left many fields unable to recover between storms. Some areas have received multiple inches of rain in short windows, keeping soils saturated and creating ongoing problems for root systems and crop health.
“That’s left for a tough look in the countryside here in central Illinois. A lot of yellow areas in the soybeans, yellow areas, drowned-out areas in corn,” Ferrie says.
The timing of the damage is also creating economic challenges for growers. With commodity prices under pressure, many farmers were counting on maximizing yield potential to help improve their bottom line this year. Instead, Ferrie says portions of fields are now unable to contribute the bushels growers were hoping for.
“One of the ways to deal with our lower commodity prices was to yield your way out of it. They can look out there now and realize they’re not going to be able to yield their way out of it when you take 20% of the field and put that kind of water stress to it. Some of these areas are gone. Some of the areas are just stressed or cut in half,” says Ferrie.
Protecting Remaining Yield Potential
Even with lost acres, Ferrie says growers still need to focus on protecting the productive areas of their fields. While drowned-out spots may be beyond saving, the remaining crop still has the potential to contribute valuable bushels this fall.
“One of the things we’ve got to remember is the other 80% of that field, you’ve still got to take care of that 80% because it’s the bushels we’re going to need in the fall,” Ferrie says.
That means staying on top of nutrient management and completing applications that may have been delayed by wet conditions.
“If you didn’t get your sidedressing done, that needs to be done,” Ferrie adds. “Whether we do it by ground, by high-clearance machine or by air, we need to get that nitrogen on so we’re there to the finish. If you’re doing it by ground and you’re going through those low areas where the corn is stunted or gone, you can always pull that rate back. But you’ve got to remember you need the rest of that farm to yield. We need to stay on top of the nutrient side of that equation.”
What Can Farmers Do About Weed Challenges?
The same weather pattern that damaged crops also disrupted normal field operations. Frequent rain events prevented many growers from making timely herbicide applications, allowing weeds to continue growing alongside the crop.
“One of the other challenges we have with all this wet weather is we couldn’t get our herbicides applied. The weeds kept growing, so did the crops,” he says.
In corn, Ferrie says many fields are now beyond the ideal timing for traditional broadcast applications. Taller corn creates challenges for getting herbicides where they need to go, while also increasing the risk of crop injury.
“A lot of this corn is too big, so we have to look at the label as far as what allows you to go over the top as a broadcast. “It’s going to force us to probably put a lot of corn herbicides, our second post application, on with things like a drop. So we can get down underneath that canopy, make it safe on the crop, but get coverage on the weed,” Ferrie says.
Should You Sacrifice Yield? Allowing Waterhemp to Survive Could Be Costly
Soybean growers are facing similar challenges as waterhemp continues to gain size in fields that were too wet to spray. Ferrie says delaying control now could create bigger problems in future years because of increased weed seed production.
“Waterhemp is now a foot and a half to two feet tall, growing like crazy,” Ferrie says. “We have to stop these waterhemp or we’re going to have a seed bank full.”
For growers trying to decide whether the risk of spraying is worth the potential yield impact, Ferrie says there are few easy choices. Earlier-planted soybeans already in reproductive stages could take a hit from aggressive herbicide applications, but allowing waterhemp to survive could cost even more.
“There’s no way around it. You spray these beans with anything that’ll take down a foot- to two-foot waterhemp, you’re going to knock these flowers off and that’s going to come as a yield hit.”
Still, Ferrie says growers need to make the best decision for the long-term health of their operation.
“We get calls all day long asking, ‘Should I spray or shouldn’t I?’” Ferrie says. “You should be spraying. You’ve got to take these weeds out, and you’ve got to recognize the fact that Mother Nature put you in this corner, and it’s going to come at a cost of some soybeans.”
A Deep Dive into Agronomy During Corn and Soybean College
As farmers continue navigating tight margins and increasingly complex crop management decisions, Farm Journal’s Corn & Soybean College is returning with a renewed focus on helping growers make informed, data-driven decisions in the field.
Hosted at Ferrie’s farm, the annual educational event brings together leading agronomists, farmers and industry experts for a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on field learning. This year’s event will be held July 21 and 22. Registration is still available for the in-person event.
