Day 2
Audubon county IA
Day 2 started in Audubon IA where crop conditions looked excellent at this stop—no visible signs of stress. This county set a record last year, and based on what we’re seeing, there’s no reason another record isn’t within reach. Timely, well-balanced rains have been a key factor, with no excessive moisture at any point. We saw consistently strong crop conditions throughout our drive from Stop 4 to Stop 5.
Lewis County MO
Crop here in Lewis co MO on our 5th stop showed no signs of stress. Corn appeared to be further along in development compared to our previous stop, with the first dented corn we’ve observed on the route. Conditions looked excellent—no drought concerns, and the crop should be in great shape moving forward. Notably, we saw no tip-back, indicating strong kernel development.
Pike County IL
Crops in Pike Co IL looked healthy overall on our 6th stop, with no visible signs of stress or tip-back. While some farmers in the area believe yields may fall just short of a record, expectations remain solid for a strong crop. A few pollination issues were reported, likely due to stretches of excess heat and rainfall during that critical window. Yields should be comparable to last year, though perhaps not quite at record levels.
Logan County IL
7th stop was in Logan co IL, this was the first stop where we observed noticeable tip-back in the samples. Despite that, the farmer we spoke with felt the crop was better than last year’s, which was near record levels. The area has received plenty of both heat and rainfall. Our samples were slightly below average, likely due to the tip-back, with corn in the denting stage. Overall, yields may end up slightly below last year. We also noted some standing water in the area, though its impact remains unclear
McLean County
Our 8th stop was in McLean County, where recent heat may be pushing crop progress a bit faster than normal. The crop looks good overall, but it’s unlikely to be a record year. Sample yields were about 20 bushels lower than last year and not as impressive as what we saw in 2024. Still a solid crop, just not at the top end.
Missouri Summary
Missouri has seen plenty of moisture this season, especially in the northern half of the state, along with periods of excessive heat. Even with the weather swings, the samples we pulled came in close to normal. Missouri tends to handle heavy rainfall well, especially with the heat it typically receives. With little crop stress and few issues, a yield estimate around 180 bushels per acre seems accurate for this area.
