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NOW is the time to plant? (4-6-2012)
University of Illinois crop sciences professor Emerson Nafziger says that almost nothing about the spring of 2012 in Illinois has been normal. Rainfall was below average over most of the state, with March temperatures breaking records on a record number of days. For now, the focus should be on getting corn planted first. Recent data show good yields from planting soybeans in April, and if they can be planted under good conditions, there is little need to wait until May to start to plant soybeans.

The Historic Pattern of U.S Soybean Yields, Any Implications for 2012? (2-8-2012)
Like the U.S. average corn yield, the U.S. average soybean yield was below trend value in 2011. Market sentiment favors a return to trend yield for soybeans in 2012. Here we examine the pattern of yields from 1960 through 2011 to identify any patterns that might be helpful in forming expectations for 2012.

Continued Weakness in Crop Prices (12-13-2011)
Crop prices are heading to year-end on a weak note. Soybean prices are well below the level at the start of the year and at the lowest level since early October 2010. The USDA's monthly report of U.S. and world supply and consumption prospects, released on December 9, underscores the reasons for the current price weakness.

Corn and Soybean Prices Continue to Struggle (11-23-2011)
Corn prices have traded in a sideways pattern since mid-October, but are currently in the lower end of the recent range. Soybean prices have trended lower over the past month, with January futures now back near the early October lows.

Thinking Toward the 2012 Crop Year (11-8-2011)
For many, but certainly not all, Illinois farmers, 2011 has been a trying year, with yields coming in less than hoped and expected. Here are a variety of thoughts as we head into the cold season, looking forward to better crops in 2012...

October USDA Reports (10-12-2011)
Today the USDA released the October update of survey-based forecasts of the size of the 2011 U.S. corn and soybean crops. In addition, forecasts of consumption and ending stocks for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 marketing years for corn, and soybeans were updated. Following is a summary of the soybean report.

Soybean Production and Consumption Uncertainty (10-1-2011)
Soybean prices, along with the prices of many commodities, have come under considerable pressure in the month of September. November 2011 futures reached a high of $14.65 on August 31 and traded to a low of $12.26 in the September 26 overnight session before settling at $12.50.

Can Corn and Soybean Still Add Yield? (9-11-2011)
With dry weather continuing over much of Illinois and crop condition ratings continuing to fall, many are wondering if the corn and soybean crops are done for the year or if adding yield is still possible. The large drop in temperatures, from highs in the 90s at the end of last week to highs in the low 70s early this week, also raises hopes that the crop might hang on a little longer to add some more yield.

ISA-Sponsored Surveys of Illinois Soybean Fields Reveal No Stink Bugs (8-27-2011)
During the last week of July and second week of August, soybean fields in 47 Illinois counties were surveyed - thanks to financial support from the Illinois Soybean Association - for a variety of insect pests. Fortunately, we encountered no brown marmorated, red banded or red shouldered stink bugs. I suspect that survey results will differ over the next several seasons, especially for the brown marmorated stink bug.

Soybeans Enter into Podfilling (8-15-2011)
Soybeans are entering the critical pod-filling phase in most parts of Illinois. Emerson Nafziger, University of Illinois Extension agronomist, said although soybean crop condition ratings are not very high, there have been few serious problems in the soybean crop so far. Flowering in the 2011 crop started at about the normal time, and crop progress has been close to normal up to now, he said. High temperatures in July and limited rainfall in some areas have produced afternoon stress symptoms, leading to concerns about the ability of the crop to set pods.