Illinois farmers had 5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 4th according to the latest USDA crop report.
Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 11% very short, 24% short, 55% adequate and 10% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 12% very short, 26% short, 55% adequate and 7% surplus.
The corn harvest remained ahead of normal. Corn maturity reached 92%, compared with the five-year average of 88%, while 36% of the crop had been harvested, six percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 30%. Corn condition was rated 3% very poor, 9% poor, 30% fair, 43% good and 15% excellent.
Soybean harvest also remained slightly ahead of average, with 31% harvested compared with the five-year average of 29%. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 87%, compared with the five-year average of 90%. Soybean condition was rated 4% very poor, 8% poor, 30% fair, 44% good and 14% excellent.
Winter wheat planting reached 15%, just behind the five-year average of 16%. Two percent of the crop had emerged, compared with the five-year average of 4%.