News

Northwestern Illinois crops exceeding expectations

A northwestern Illinois farmer says he has high hopes for his crops this year.

Josh Curry, who grows corn and soybeans in Mercer County, says he doesn’t want to jinx it.

“It has been a great growing season.”  He says, “It was dry all winter, so you’re worried about drought, and it was a little droughty there maybe back in June, I think, but the rains have come and they’ve been timely. I don’t like to talk about the crop because then that yield will disappear on us and we need it this year.”

He tells Brownfield…

“It does look good.”  He says, “The insect pressure’s low, the disease pressure’s low, and we have the soil moisture here to make some really good corn and soybean yields. The alfalfa yields are already coming in. That first cutting was really low, but the second and third cuttings have been very nice.”

Statewide, the USDA says 61% of the corn crop is in good to excellent condition, with 96% silking, 64% in dough stage, and 14% dented, while 59% of soybeans are in good shape with 92% blooming and 77% setting pods. 

AUDIO: Josh Curry – Illinois farmer