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West Southwest

May 11: Wheat is “packing on pounds.”

    The Monroe County area had another quick burst of planting in scattered pockets just ahead of another weather front that moved through Friday night and Saturday morning. Luckily, weather events seem to be spaced just right, allowing some planting and application progress to be made each week…

    Chad Dillenberger, West Southwest Illinois CropWatch

    Chad Dillenberger, West Southwest Illinois CropWatch

      Chad Dillenberger is a Monroe County native. His experience spans roles in finance as well as hands-on management as the fourth generation on a 1,600-acre grain farm in Valmeyer. He has two boys, Henry, 18, and Liam, 15, and has been married to Katie, his high school sweetheart, for 21 years. 

      May 4: We had a rough start to the week

        We had a rough start to the week with a fairly broad-sweeping storm moving through. While this put the brakes on any remaining planting efforts for the week, it provided some moisture to get the corn and beans up out of the ground and give them a boost to gain some height and find some early…

        April 27: Another productive planting window mid-week

          Our area found another productive planting window mid-week to get quite a few more acres planted. In all, we are approximately 90% done, with much of those acres emerged and looking uniform. While planting has been going fairly smooth, the regularity of the wind has made spray applications t…

          April 20: Nearly perfect rains

            We received nearly perfect rains on Wednesday/Thursday and a little more Saturday morning that will get the prior week’s planting surge started off on the right foot. The western side of the county (bottoms) is nearly done planting, while the farms in the hills on the eastern side of the cou…

            Chad Dillenberger, West Southwest Illinois CropWatch Journal

            Chad Dillenberger, West Southwest Illinois CropWatch Journal

              Chad Dillenberger is a Monroe County native. His experience spans roles in finance as well as hands-on management as the fourth generation on a 1,600-acre grain farm in Valmeyer. He graduated from Saint Louis University in 2004, majoring in finance, and then spent 15 years with Scottrade (a …

              Introducing Chad Dillenberger

                Chad Dillenberger is a Monroe County native. His experience spans roles in finance as well as hands-on management as the fourth generation on a 1,600-acre grain farm in Valmeyer. He graduated from Saint Louis University in 2004, majoring in finance, and then spent 15 years with Scottrade (a …

                Wrap-up: Yields were more than expected, but off 5 to 10%

                  Looking back, our area was fortunate to have a good planting season for most. The stands were impressive for both crops, with rainfall being on the moderate side. Many were anticipating a hot, dry May and June, but it was far less intense compared to last year. Rains in July were timely and …

                  Nov. 3: Fieldwork is in full swing

                    Much of the harvest is wrapping up, and fieldwork is in full swing in our area. Many would not turn down a rain, so hopefully precipitation is in our future. Jack Frost showed up late this week and took care of any volunteer corn. A sigh of relief came over the land with markets moving highe…

                    Oct. 27: People are moving on with fall work

                      Another productive week, with anhydrous being put on in some of our area. Still pretty dry in our area, but harvest is moving on. Look forward to another rain because it is dry in most of Illinois. People are moving on with fall work and we also appreciate the cool temperatures. Most crops i…

                      Oct. 20: We wrapped up harvest

                        Pleasant weather. Many are wrapping up harvest in the area, and we wrapped up harvest on Wednesday afternoon last week. We received around six-tenths of rain last Saturday.

                        Oct. 13: Many are finished or close to the finish line

                          We had another productive week of harvest, and there’s been a lot accomplished. Many are finished or close to the finish line. Weather has been pleasant and we’re looking forward to another cool down. Ground conditions continue to remain dry. Field activities are starting for tillage and fer…

                          Oct. 6: Harvest conditions are really good

                            One brief shower with very scattered rains, but when it rained it rained really hard. The temperatures are still on the warm side. Harvest conditions are really good and yields quite varied in some places. We had a good clear week to get work done. A few are done, but those who have some lef…

                            July 21: Fungicide spraying and some respraying

                              Fungicide spraying and some respraying continued. What can I say about waterhemp that hasn't been said already? Some of those expressions require a good command of the English language — good luck with that! So back to the weather, it didn’t take long to break a sweat and add to the laundry …

                              July 14: Another hot muggy week

                                Another hot muggy week for the Morgan County Fair, but fair patrons endured the temps, and a good time was had by all. Most everyone received rains ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 and without any storm damage. Crop development looks great as we get through pollination time, and beans have closed up …

                                July 7: Hopes of better trade are on everyone’s minds

                                  Crops are looking good in our region and hopes of better trade are on everyone’s minds, I'm sure. It didn't take long to break a sweat this week with humidity on the high side. Most of our tiles have dried up, and a shower would certainly be welcomed, which is in next week's forecast. The Mo…

                                  June 27: Wheat harvest began for many

                                    Very hot temperatures dominated our week with most showers being very light and scattered. Wheat harvest began for many and some double-crop beans. Yields that have been reported have been good. Tassels are showing now, and fungicide is beginning to be applied on both crops. Hope the rains c…

                                    June 23: Tornados hit Jacksonville

                                      Our week started out calm, but Tuesday became another story — tornados hit Jacksonville and the rural area. Houses and commercial buildings along with power lines were damaged and the Future Champs ballfields where volunteers showed up to aid in clean up. Definitely a “Morgan County Strong” …

                                      June 16: Hay will have to wait till next week

                                        Light showers were in our area last week, 0.5 to 1 inch. The temperature was great for fair patrons and any outside work. The hay will have to wait till next week. Crop progress and vigor has really made our corn and beans respond well with moderate rainfall and good temps. We are done spray…

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