Good weather keeps state crops in quality condition

By Gary Scott on August 9, 2016 at 1:03pm

The condition of Illinois crops continued to benefit from another week of favorable weather.

The local district had an average temperature of 76.8 degrees, 3.1 degrees above normal, and farmers experienced 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork.

For the West Southwest District, 82-percent of corn reached the dough stage, compared to 64-percent a week ago. Corn dented at 14-percent locally, higher than all other Illinois districts. Ninety-three percent of soybeans are blooming, while 69-percent are setting pods.

State crop statistician Brad Summa provides the statewide numbers..

“For the corn crop, corn in the dough stage reached 60-percent, up 22 percent from a week ago. Corn dented was at six percent compared to 17 percent for the five year average. Corn condition was rated three-percent very poor-to-poor, 14 percent fair, 57-percent good and 26-percent excellent. For the soybean crop, soybeans blooming was at 91-percent. Soybeans setting pods reached 68-percent, up 17-percent from last week and compared to 66-percent for the five-year average. Soybean condition was rated five-percent very poor-to-poor, 16-percent fair, 58-percent good and 21-percent excellent,” says Summa.

Topsoil moisture in the West Southwest District was one-percent very short, five-percent short, 85-percent adequate and nine-percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was four-percent short, 93-percent adequate and three-percent surplus.