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The USDA’s May 15 Crop Progress Report states that 36% of U.S. soybeans have been planted as of May 15. In Illinois only 29% of soybean acres have been planted. Planting progress is behind the 43% reported planted at the same time in 2015.

Mike Wilson, Southeast Illinois says:
Here in Southeastern Illinois we have planted very few soybeans (less than 5%) and still have most of our corn to plant. As of this writing (May 16) we really need dry, warm weather to try to finish up. We had hail last week that wreaked havoc on some of our best looking beans and the cold weather has slowed recovery greatly. Hopefully we can miss these rains and get planting season underway again, but the weather forecast isn’t promising. Oh well, could be worse—it can always get worse—at least the rivers aren’t out. Yet!

Lance Tarochione, Northwest Illinois says:
I estimate soybean planting is 50-60% complete in my area. Some April planted beans have emerged and are looking good. May planted beans are emerging very slowly due to recent cool conditions. Planting has resumed in the drier areas and will be wrapped up quickly if we have a few dry days. I have no major concerns at this point.

Stephanie Porter, West Central Illinois says:
Some soybeans were planted soon after corn in late April and then again recently, when there was another planting window before more rain. The early planted soybeans are hanging in there and are at VC to V1 growth stages. The later planted soybeans are just emerging or have not emerged. Many need to continue to evaluate early soybean stands as they could be thin in some areas of the field. Bean leaf beetle numbers remain low. Hopefully, many that planted early chose to use seed treatment. Thus far, I have only scouted soybean fields planted using seed treatment, and I have found no signs of major seedling disease. Many are witnessing the halo effect of the ILeVO seed treatment for the first time and can see that the soybean seedling has protection against the pathogen that causes SDS as well as early season control of SCN. There have been some reports of minor PPO injury, due to soybeans emerging in cool and wet conditions in fields that had a PPO herbicide pre-emergence herbicide application. As you move north, there could be signs of scattered frost injury in low areas of the field. Overall, things are as positive as they can be and we look forward to warmer conditions for soybean emergence.

Adam Day, North Central Illinois says:
I would estimate about 15% of acres are planted with soybeans. Most growers have finished planting corn, however they held off starting beans and were waiting for a warmer and drier forecast. This forecast will occur later this week and soybean planting will happen rapidly.

Terry Wyciskalla, Southwest Illinois says:
I’m kind of reaching here but I would estimate about 5 – 10% of the full season soybean acres have been planted in the Southwestern Illinois region. Most areas have been pummeled with heavy rains over the last 2 – 3 weeks with more rain in the forecast. Many producers are still trying to plant corn and cut hay. A couple of my dairy producers are trying to get their cover crop haylage taken off so they can plant these fields back to corn. We might be into the “yield loss territory” for soybeans but I am not overly excited just yet here in far Southern Illinois.