News

Illinois farmers get full week of harvest progress

A full week suitable for field work allowed for substantial harvest progress in Illinois last week.

The USDA reports as of Sunday 65% of corn is harvested, up from 47% the week begore and just shy of the 69% five-year average for this point in the season.

Soybean harvest is 78% complete, a jump from 55% the week before and four percentage points ahead of average.

Winter wheat planting surpassed the halfway mark at 67% complete, up from just 39% the week before.

While the dry weather has helped farmers avoid harvest delays, it has significantly decreased soil moisture and pasture conditions. The most recent US Drought Monitor map shows more than 75% of the state is abnormally dry, with nearly 30% in moderate to severe drought.