Dry fields and persisting drought is challenging Illinois corn and soybean fields, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Illinois Crop Progress and Condition Report released Tuesday.
For the week ending June 18, precipitation statewide averaged 0.35 inches, 0.62 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 42 percent very short, 45 percent short, and 13 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 38 percent very short, 45 percent short, and 17 percent adequate.
The newly planted corn crop’s condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 44 percent fair, 30 percent good and 6 percent excellent.
As of Monday, soybeans emerged had reached 95 percent compared to the five-year average of 84 percent. Soybeans condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 49 percent fair, 26 percent good, and 7 percent excellent.
Winter wheat harvested for grain was reported at 13 percent, compared to the five-year average of 17 percent. Winter wheat condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 18 percent excellent.
Source : Telegraph
