News

Illinois crops show improvement

The USDA says the majority of Illinois crops are doing well.

Ogle County farmer, and president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Brian Duncan says recent rains have been beneficial.

“We’ve been in a drought up north, but we finally caught an inch and a half of rain across almost everything, which really perked things up.”  He says, “You know, the stress was starting to show already.”

The latest weekly crop progress and condition report shows as of Sunday 70% of Illinois corn is in good to excellent condition, up 2% on the week, with planting complete and 93% emerged.  Sixty-three percent of soybeans are in good to excellent condition, up 4% from last week, with 93% planted and 87% emerged.  Duncan tells Brownfield…

“Overall, I’d say things now are off to a good start, but our tiles aren’t running in northern Illinois, at least in my part of northwest Illinois.”  He says, “We’re going to need regular rainfall to keep us going throughout the season.”

One percent of winter wheat is harvested with 57% rated good to excellent condition. 

Seventy one percent of pastures are rated good to excellent condition, and 70% of alfalfa first cutting is complete.