Spring planting ahead of schedule despite many obstacles impacting farmers

DECATUR, Ill (WAND) – Tariffs, a war, no purchases from China and local weather. Farmers are facing many obstacles in 2026.

While problems persist as they did in 2025, planting is well underway, according to Reagen Tibbs of the University of Illinois Ag Extension office in Lincoln.

“I remember hearing one producer saying they had all of their soybeans planted before April 15,” Tibbs told WAND News.

At this point, 29% of the state's corn has been planted. Soybeans planted are around 36% compared to the five-year average of 18%.

This past week's rains have left water standing in many fields, while others are all mud. Tibbs said that, early in the planting season, most of those fields can be replanted.