Farmers in Illinois are seeing corn and soybeans move ahead of the typical pace for mid-August, according to the USDA’s weekly crop progress report. The agency said 63% of corn is in good to excellent condition, with 99% now silking (versus a 5-year average of 98%), 81% in the dough stage (avg 79%), and 34% dented (avg 30%).
Soybeans are reported 60% in good to excellent condition, with 94% blooming (avg 96%) and 87% setting pods (avg 83%).
Weather and fieldwork figures for the week ending August 17 show 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Statewide average temperature was 79.1 degrees Fahrenheit, 5.4 degrees above normal, while precipitation averaged 0.91 inches, just above normal by 0.02 inches.
Topsoil moisture was rated 13% very short, 23% short, 58% adequate, and 6% surplus. Subsoil moisture tracked 15% very short, 22% short, 57% adequate, and 6% surplus.
Corn condition overall was 4% very poor/poor, 26% fair, 46% good, and 17% excellent. Soybean condition stood at 4% very poor/poor, 27% fair, 43% good, and 17% excellent.
Compared with the five-year averages, corn silking was just above average (99% vs. 98%), dough ahead at 81% (avg 79%), and dented ahead at 34% (avg 30%). Soybeans were slightly behind the average for blooming (94% vs. 96%) but ahead for pod setting (87% vs. 83%).
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