Corn planting on track in Illinois

By Ryne Turke on April 19, 2016 at 12:57pm

Corn planting is back on track in Illinois thanks to a warm and dry week.

USDA crop statistician Mark Schleusener says last week was “pretty mild”, giving producers time to work in the fields.

“Corn planting moved up to 12 percent complete, compared with 11 percent a year ago and 14 percent for the five year average. Western parts of the state made more corn planting progress than eastern areas,” says Schleusener.

Local farmers have planted 28 percent of the corn crop.

The West Southwest District reported topsoil at 14 percent short, 80 percent adequate and six percent surplus. Subsoil was six percent short, 90 percent adequate and four percent surplus.

Statewide the average temperature was 53.6 degrees, which was 1.6 degrees above normal and similar to the local district.

Precipitation across the state averaged 0.64 inches, which was 0.41 inches below normal. The West Southwest District received nearly an inch of rainfall.