Watch Closely for Weed Emergence

May 21, 2021

By Paul O. Johnson

Cool, dry conditions have slowed weed emergence and growth, but dry conditions also have limited the activation of preemergent chemicals. Given this scenario, fields need to be scouted closely to ensure that weeds do not get away. The time of warmer temperatures is coming, and once weeds have emerged with warm temperatures, it is just a matter of a few days before weeds are more than four-inches tall, and in dry conditions, they become very hard to control. If we get good moisture, the preemergent chemicals will be activated and provide their normal control.

The main concern is if the weeds have germinated before the preemergent chemical is activated, the preemergent chemicals, for the most part, do not control emerged weeds. Right now is the time to keep a good scouting program in place so there are no major weed control problems in the near future.

Source : sdstate.edu

Video: Midwest Weather Shock: Flash Drought Turns Into Heavy Rain Threat This Week (2026 Forecast)

A rapidly changing Midwest weather pattern is unfolding in 2026 as areas that recently slipped into abnormal dryness and flash drought conditions are now facing the threat of heavy rain and repeated storm systems.

After a wet spring erased early drought conditions, regions across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and northern Missouri have quickly dried out again since mid-to-late May. Soil moisture is dropping fast, and crops like corn and soybeans are beginning to feel the stress of rising temperatures and lack of consistent rainfall. Now, weather models show a major shift.

A developing system moving in from the Northern Plains is expected to bring multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms, with the potential for locally heavy rainfall across the Midwest. While some areas may miss out, others could finally see much-needed relief from the growing dryness. In this video, we break down:

Current drought conditions across the Midwest

Why a flash drought is developing quickly

Timing and path of incoming storm systems

Which states are most likely to see heavy rain

How long this wet pattern could last

Will this rain end the drought or create new flooding risks? Watch the full forecast to find out.