Fall harvest is finally here for parts of Illinois, specifically the southern part of the state.
In the local district, 86-percent of corn acres are dented, 29-percent have reached the mature stage and one-percent has been harvested. As for soybeans in the West Southwest District, 99-percent are setting pods, 12-percent are turning color and three-percent are dropping leaves.
State crop statistician Mark Schleusener provides a look at the statewide numbers.
“Corn harvest reached one-percent as of Sunday, compared to four-percent for the 5-year average. Twenty-two percent of acres are now mature. Eighty-three percent of acres have reached the death stage, The condition of the corn crop was rated thee-percent very poor-to-poor, 12 fair and 85-percent good-to-excellent, the same as one weeks ago. The condition of the soybean crop is now rated six-perent very poo-to poor, 15 fair and 29-percent good-to-excellent. down slightly from one weem ago. There are reports of suddent death syndrome and other fields, primarily in Northern Illinois. .
Topsoil moisture in the West Southwest District was six-percent short, 84-percent adequate and 10-percent surplus. Local subsoil moisture was five-percent short, 90-percent adequate and five-percent surplus.
Local temperatures and precipitation were right around normal, with an average temperature of 73 degrees and 0.71 inches of rainfall received.