Planting wrapping up for Illinois farmers

By Ryne Turke on June 7, 2016 at 12:48pm

According to the latest USDA crop report, 97 percent of corn crop acres have been planted and 92 percent are emerging.

Crop statistician Mark Schleusener breaks down the numbers.

“The corn crop’s condition improved from last week and is now rated five percent very poor to poor, 19 percent fair and 76 percent good to excellent. Planting progress in Southern Illinois continues to lag behind the rest of the state,” says Schleusener.

Numbers from the West Southwest District show 99 percent of corn is planted and 97 percent has emerged.

As for state soybeans numbers, 81 percent of the crop is planted and 66 percent has emerged.

Ninety-one percent of local soybeans are in the ground and 76 percent have emerged.

Local farmers received four and a half days suitable for fieldwork, similar to the state average.

Topsoil in the West Southwest District was 10 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil was six percent short, 87 percent adequate and seven percent surplus.

Temperatures averaged around 72 degrees in Illinois, similar to the local district.

While rainfall was slightly lower than average for most of the state, the West Southwest District received 1.04 inches, more than a tenth of an inch above average.