Illinois farmers continue to make steady progress with fall harvest and winter wheat planting, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report released Monday.
For the week ending October 18, farmers had an average of five days suitable for fieldwork across the state.
Corn harvesting reached 63 percent complete, five percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 58 percent.
Corn maturity reached 98 percent, compared to the five-year average of 97 percent.
The USDA rated 60 percent of the state’s corn crop in good to excellent condition, with 29 percent rated fair and 11 percent poor to very poor.
Soybean harvesting reached 66 percent complete, compared to the five-year average of 62 percent. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 97 percent, matching the five-year average.
Meanwhile, Illinois farmers made significant progress planting winter wheat, with approximately one-quarter of the state’s crop planted during the past week.
Winter wheat planting reached 53 percent complete, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 51 percent.
Winter wheat emergence was reported at 22 percent, compared to the five-year average of 25 percent.
Weather conditions remained warmer than normal during the reporting period.
The statewide average temperature was 63.3 degrees, approximately eight degrees above normal.
Precipitation averaged 79-hundredths of an inch, slightly above the seasonal average.
Topsoil moisture was rated 68 percent adequate to surplus, while 32 percent was rated short to very short.
Subsoil moisture was rated 62 percent adequate to surplus, with 38 percent short to very short.
The latest USDA figures indicate Illinois farmers remain ahead of their typical fall harvest pace as the growing season winds down.