Below normal temperatures in April are delaying planting in Illinois.
According to reports from the United States Department of Agriculture, farmers are waiting until the soil warms to begin planting.
Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener notes crop progress is being shown across the state. The West Southwest District leads Illinois with nine percent of the corn crop planted.
“Overall two percent of the state’s acres have been planted, compared to six percent for the five year average,” notes Schleusener.
Local farmers in the West Southwest District received 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, similar to the state average.
Topsoil in the local district was three percent short, 85 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil was one percent short, 92 percent adequate and seven percent surplus.
The West Southwest District averaged a temperature of 43.4 degrees for the week, more than five degrees below normal. Precipitation for the week totaled half an inch, down 0.14 inches from normal.