News

Illinois crops doing well, most wheat now harvested

Soil moisture levels are high, with 53% of cropland having adequate moisture and 47% surplus moisture.  Subsoil levels are reported at 62% adequate and 38% surplus. 

Corn planting is complete with 96% of the crop emerged, which is a day ahead the five-year average.  Twelve percent of the corn is in excellent condition, with 50% rated good and 28% rated fair.

Soybean planting is 96% finished with 90% of the beans emerged, a day ahead of the five-year average.  Four percent of the soybeans are blooming.  Fifty-nine percent of the soybeans are rated good to excellent.

Ninety-three percent of the state’s oats have emerged and 56% of the crop has headed.  The overall condition is down 4% from last week, with 79% reported as good to excellent.

One hundred percent of the Illinois winter wheat has now headed with 72% now harvested, which is way ahead of the five-year average of just 34% harvested. Sixty-one percent of the wheat is in good to good condition, and 16% is rated excellent.

Pasture and range conditions are rated 6% excellent, 44% good, 30% fair, and 13% poor.

Most of last week’s rains went north of Illinois, allowing for 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork.