News

Spring rains stall Illinois planting progress for some

A central Illinois farmer says the wet weather has led to scattered planting progress in his area.

Rob Shaffer, who grows corn and soybeans in Woodford County, says several inches of rain from recent storms have kept him out of the field so far.

“We might be able to do a little bit of field work early this week, but I’m not sure we’ll plant much.”  He says, “Also it looks like it’s going to get cold, but there have been some beans put in south of me. I talked to a buddy of mine who was planting, and he said that area just happened to miss the rains, and that’s the only farm he could do.”

He tells Brownfield that he’s not concerned about the lack of progress.

“April 10th is the crop insurance date for beans.”  He says, “We’ve never actually planted anything before April 15th, but we want to get our beans in as quick as we can and then turn around and go to corn. It’s been working out the last five years. Our yields have been increased.”

Statewide, the USDA says 4% of the corn crop is planted, up 3% from last week, while 7% of soybeans are planted.  The Illinois winter wheat crop is rated 67% in good to excellent condition.

AUDIO: Rob Shaffer – Illinois farmer