News

Illinois planting continues as earlier-planted crops emerge

Scattered rains across Illinois left only three and a half days suitable for fieldwork last week.  USDA reporters say the average precipitation for the week ending Sunday was 1.59 inches, which is more than half an inch above normal.  Parts of north-central and eastern Illinois have around 10-20% below-average rainfall, but the state’s western side has seen above-average rainfall.

As of Sunday, 74% of Illinois’ corn is planted, which is 13% more than usual.  Thirty-five percent of the corn has emerged. 

Fifty-seven percent of the soybeans are in the ground, and 23% of them have emerged.

Winter wheat is rated 52% good and 18% excellent, and 58% of the crop has headed.