Illinois Weather and crops

The Illinois Department of Agriculture released its Illinois Weather and Crops Report on May 16.

Agricultural Summary

Temperatures were above normal with a statewide average of 66.6 degrees.The average for the time period is 61.7 degrees. Rains resumed towards the end of the week for an average of 1.09 inches statewide. The norm for the time period is 0.9 inches. Number of days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.7. Topsoil moisture was rated one percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 41 percent surplus. With higher temperatures and dry weather for the majority of the week, planting was in full swing even though some acres were being replanted. Corn planted increased to 69 perhcttep:n//wtwwf.nraossm.usdla.agosvt/il week’s 34 percent.

This compares to a five-year average of 74 percent. Corn emerged was 24 percent as compared with the five-year average of 50 percent. Soybean planting moved forward though behind schedule. Soybeans planted jumped to 16 percent from two percent the previous week. Last year at this time 41 percent had been planted. Field work remained on hold where fields were still saturated with water or flooded. Most fieldwork came to a halt by the end of the week when rains resumed. Early week warm temperatures allowed wheat to improve, though some wheat fields reportedly looked bad due to excess moisture this season. Winter wheat condition stood at two percent very poor, eight percent poor, 42 percent fair, 40 percent good and eight percent excellent. Some alfalfa was cut while many farmers were looking for more favorable conditions to cut hay. Alfalfa was rated one percent very poor, two percent poor, 21 percent fair, 67 percent good and nine percent excellent.

Mercer County

In the Northwest District where Mercer County lies there were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork from May 9-15. The topsoil moisture content was deemed 84 percent adequate, 13 percent surplus and three percent short.

In the Northwest District, on May 15, 87 percent of the corn has been planted and 28 percent has emerged. Thirty-six percent of soybeans have been planted. All of these percents are higher than the state average.

In the Northwest District from May 9-15 the average temperature was 64.8 a departure of 5.2. Precipitation was 1.13 a departure of 0.24.