Recent storms and widespread rainfall helped boost crop development across Illinois last week, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report released Monday.
The USDA rated 66 percent of the state’s corn crop as good to excellent, while 61 percent of soybeans received a good-to-excellent rating. Illinois winter wheat was rated 75 percent good to excellent, with 20 percent of the crop already harvested.
Farmers had just 3.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 14th. Despite limited field activity, warm temperatures and abundant moisture aided crop growth. The statewide average temperature was 76.2 degrees, nearly five degrees above normal, while precipitation averaged 3.3 inches, more than two inches above average.
Corn emergence reached 94 percent, slightly below the five-year average of 95 percent. Soybean planting was 95 percent complete, well ahead of the five-year average of 88 percent, with emergence reaching 89 percent.
Winter wheat harvest also moved ahead of normal, reaching 20 percent complete compared to the five-year average of 11 percent.
Topsoil moisture was rated 57 percent adequate and 28 percent surplus, while subsoil moisture was reported at 63 percent adequate and 20 percent surplus, providing favorable conditions for continued crop development across much of the state.