As summer begins to wind down, West Central Illinois farmers are gearing up for the fast-approaching fall harvest.
In the local district, 98-percent of corn acres are in the dough stage, 79-percent are dented and 14-percent have reached the mature stage. For soybeans in the West Southwest District, 97-percent are setting pods while seven-percent are turning color.
State crop statistician Mark Schleusener provides the statewide numbers.
“Seven-percent of acres are now mature, compared to 16-percent normally. The condition of the corn crop improved slightly, and is now rated three-percent very poor-to-poor, 12-percent fair and 85-percent good-to-excellent. Soybeans are setting pods on 94-percent of acres. Seven-percent of acres are now turning color compared to 11-percent for the five-year average. The condition of the soybean crop is now rated six-percent very poor-to-poor, 16 fair and 78-percent good-to-excellent, nearly the same as one week ago,” says Schleusener.
Topsoil moisture in the West Southwest District was four-percent short, 84-percent adequate and 12-percent surplus. Local subsoil moisture was three-percent short, 91-percent adequate and six-percent surplus.
The local district received just over an inch of precipitation last week, compared to the statewide average of around 1.3 inches.
Average temperature in the West Southwest District was 75.2 degrees, a half-degree above normal.