Before joining Successful Farming full-time in 2024, she was a contributor covering the weekly USDA Crop Progress report. The Successful Farming® Crop Crew agronomists have spent the last 12 weeks reporting real-time, boots-on-the-ground insights as they support growers and scout fields. The Crop Crew photos of soybean crops for the week that ended June 21 highlight pressure from diseases and insects. Drew Beckman reported phytophthora in his territory of northwestern Illinois during the week that ended June 21. Soybeans in Illinois were the fourth lowest-rated of the crop in the top 18 states, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress report. Soybeans in Kentucky were the sixth highest rated of the crop in the top 18 states, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress report. First 2026 Tar Spot Cases Confirmed in 3 Indiana Counties. First 2026 Cases of Tar Spot Confirmed in 3 Iowa Counties. First 2026 Tar Spot Cases Confirmed in 5 Kansas Counties.