Continued rainfall becoming a concern for Illinois farmers

By Ryne Turke on August 16, 2016 at 1:24pm

With more rainfall last week, farmers across the state are concerned about how their crops will handle the heavy precipitation.

The West Southwest District received 1.12 inches of precipitation, which is 0.42 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture was eight percent short, 77-percent adequate and 15-percent surplus. Local subsoil moisture was seven percent short, 88-percent adequate and five percent surplus.

State crop statistician Mark Schleusener provides the statewide numbers.

“Seventy-nine percent of corn acres have reached the dough stage or passed beyond. Twenty-five percent of corn acres are in the dent stage, compared to 33-percent normally. The condition of the corn crop is slightly better than one week ago, at three percent very poor-to-poor, 13 fair and 84-percent good-to-excellent. For soybeans, 95-percent of acres are blooming or beyond, 81-percent of acres are setting pods, compared to 78-percent one year ago and 79-percent normally. The condition of the soybean crop is virtually unchanged compared to last week, at four percent very poor-to-poor, 16 fair and 80-percent good-to-excellent,” says Schleusener.

Corn dough in the West Southwest District was at 88-percent, while corn dented reached 41-percent. Local soybeans are at 96-percent blooming and 80-percent setting pods.

Statewide precipitation was more than three quarters-of-an-inch above normal at 1.63 inches. While no major crop damage has been reported, growers are concerned about soybean lodging and the condition of tall corn stalks.