Harvest season is approaching for Illinois farmers, with the latest USDA crop progress report showing 4% of the state’s corn crop has reached maturity.
For the week ending August 23, farmers had 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork. The statewide average temperature was 73.6 degrees, 0.3 degrees above normal, while precipitation averaged 0.92 inches, 0.11 inches above normal.
Corn in the dough stage reached 90%, ahead of the five-year average of 86%. Forty-seven percent of the crop has dented, slightly behind the five-year average of 50%. Corn maturity reached 4%, compared with the five-year average of 3%.
Illinois corn condition was rated 58% good to excellent, 30% fair, 8% poor and 4% very poor.
Soybean development is also progressing, with 90% of the crop setting pods, ahead of the five-year average of 87%. Two percent of soybeans are dropping leaves, compared with the five-year average of 1%.
Soybean condition was rated 59% good to excellent, 29% fair, 8% poor and 4% very poor.
Topsoil moisture was rated 68% adequate and 19% surplus, with 13% rated short or very short. Subsoil moisture was 67% adequate and 15% surplus, while 18% was rated short or very short.