News

IL crops looking good

The USDA says Illinois crops continue to look good.

Macon county farmer, Clint Gorden agrees.

“I’m pretty optimistic.”  He says, “Not going to say we’re going to have the best crop ever, but I’m optimistic. I think we should be happy.”

The USDA’s latest weekly crop progress and condition report shows 76% of the corn crop and 72% of the soybean crop in good to excellent condition.  Gorden tells Brownfield…

“I did see a speck of tar spot, but nothing that’s got me panicked by any means.”  He says, “Corn. It’s mostly in R-4 stage, so we’re chugging right along. I think it looks pretty good, pretty clean for the most part, soybeans…they look awesome.”

Thirty four percent of the corn crop is in dough stage, compared to 26% normally.

Fifty eight percent of soybeans are setting pods, 21% ahead of average.

Pasture and range conditions are 63% good to excellent, and the second cutting of alfalfa hay is 89% complete, with the third cutting at 26%. 

Only 11% percent of Illinois topsoil moistures are rated short or very short.