FarmWeekNow (RFD Radio Network)

1 week ago | farmweeknow.com | Jim Taylor

The weather pattern has flipped in Illinois. Some drier days are in the forecast for the next couple of weeks. “Most of the state is pretty well stocked with soil moisture,” said DTN agriculture meteorologist John Baranick during a Tuesday visit with RFD Radio. Plenty of rain impacted the state during April, especially in the southern portion. However, less active weather will be the main feature through mid-May. “There’s really nothing going on that would cause a bunch of rain to fall,” he said.

2 weeks ago | farmweeknow.com | DeLoss Jahnke

Late April to early May isn’t normally the time to expect a boost in commodity prices, especially when USDA reports planting is at a normal pace. Even so, soybeans have been retreating, and this week’s declines have been pretty even for both old-crop and new-crop contracts. Old crop has shown a little more stability in April compared to new crop. July started the month with a 21 cent gain to $10.49-1/4. By April 7, it had lost more than 50 cents of its value.

2 weeks ago | farmweeknow.com | Russ Quinn

Two fertilizers had a substantial price increase compared to the prior month. The average retail price of UAN28 was 6% higher compared to last month at $381 per ton. And UAN32 was 6% more expensive than last month with an average retail price of $449 per ton. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more. The remaining six fertilizers had slightly higher prices. DAP had an average price of $784 per ton, MAP $821/ton, potash $468/ton, urea $579/ton, 10-34-0 $656/ton and anhydrous $781/ton.

2 weeks ago | farmweeknow.com | Bryce Anderson

A look at USDA's Ag in Drought report for the week of April 22, 2025, shows 26% of corn production areas are affected by drought. That percentage is higher than both a year ago and the five-year average. However, that percentage is mostly in line with recent years, and the drought-affected corn areas are less than half the assessment of drought in corn areas as recently as early March.

2 weeks ago | farmweeknow.com | Jim Taylor

As the calendar turns to May, much of Illinois can expect a good run of dry weather. But more rain remains in the forecast at least through this week. “We’ve done a nice job of catching up on our rain totals during April in many parts of the state,” said Freese-Notis Weather meteorologist Paul Otto during a Tuesday conversation with RFD Radio. “And many areas are five or so inches above normal.”Weather will stay active through later this week.