News

Planting progress jumps in Illinois

The USDA says Illinois farmers made significant planting progress last week.

Ken Franklin grows corn and soybeans in Christian County.

“I think we’re pretty happy with where we’re at.”  He says, “You know, we’re sitting here right now for us about 2/3 done with beans and probably 1/3 with corn, but just kind of a little corn to get started.”

The latest weekly crop progress and condition report shows 10% of soybeans planted as of Sunday, compared to 2% last week, and even with last year.  The USDA says 7% of corn has been planted, compared to 1% last week, and 10% last year.  Franklin tells Brownfield…

“It was a flurry of activity in western Christian County last week.”  He says, “The roads were about as busy with tractors as I’ve ever seen them in that short amount of time. There were just planters and field cultivators everywhere.”

Fifty-five percent of winter wheat is rated good to excellent condition, down 10% from last week, and winter wheat headed reached 5%, just off the five-year average of 6%.

Sixty-four percent of pastures are rated good to excellent condition, a major improvement over last week.

Topsoil moisture supply was rated 20 percent surplus, while subsoil moisture was rated 12 percent surplus.

AUDIO: Ken Franklin – Illinois farmer