News

Illinois crops quickly maturing

Illinois crops are progressing ahead of last year and the five-year average.

The USDA reports as of Sunday, the corn crop is rated 45 percent good to excellent, with 88% silking and 18% in the dough stage.

Soybeans are rated 44% good to excellent with 77% blooming and 38% setting pods. The third cutting of alfalfa hay is 31% complete.

The USDA says 49 percent of Illinois topsoil moisture is in short to very short supply.