Illinois Crops report

Agricultural Summary

The hot and dry weather continued again this week with a few areas

experiencing spotty showers. Statewide temperatures averaged 81.8 degrees,

5.1 degrees above normal. Precipitation totaled 0.28 inches across the

state, 0.68 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture continued to worsen and

was rated at 80 percent very short, 19 percent short and only 1 percent

adequate.    Subsoil moisture was rated 77 percent very short, 20 percent

short and only 3 percent adequate.    Corn silked has reached 98 percent,

compared to 79 percent last year and the 5-year average of 74 percent. Corn

doughed was at 38 percent, compared to 12 percent last year and the 5-year

 average of 16 percent. Corn conditions conthittnp:u//ewwdw.ndaessc.ulsdia.ngoivn/ilg and were rated at 36 percent very poor, 30 percent poor, 27 percent fair, and 7 percent good. There were several reports from southern areas of producers cutting corn originally intended for grain into silage or even disking it under. Eighty- four percent of the soybean crop is now blooming, compared to 61 percent last year and the 5-year average of 59 percent. Forty percent of the soybean crop is now setting pods, compared to 13 percent last year and the 5-year average of 18 percent. Soybean conditions were rated at 24 percent very poor, 25 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 12 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Forty-six percent of the sorghum crop is now headed and 2 percent is coloring. Oats harvested increased to 63 percent, compared to 45 percent last year and the 5-year average of 35 percent. The second cutting of alfalfa remained at 98 percent complete while the third cutting increased to 48 percent. Pasture conditions were rated at 64 percent very poor, 27 percent poor, 8 percent fair, and 1 percent good. Many cattle producers are continuing to feed hay in order to make up for the low growth of pastures.