News

Corn emergence growing closer to average in Illinois

Rain and saturated soils prevented many Illinois farmers from planting last week, but corn emergence grew closer to average.

The USDA reports as of Sunday 89% of the corn crop is planted with 66% emerged. That is a jump of 23 percentage points from the week before and just three points behind the five-year average. In USDA’s first corn rating of the year, Illinois’ crop is rated 55% good to excellent, with 28% in fair condition.

Soybean planting reached 65% still nearly ten points ahead of average. Thirty-seven percent of Illinois soybeans have emerged, a 16-point jump from the week before and 5 points ahead of average.

Eighty-two percent of winter wheat has headed, a jump of 15 points from the week before , but still 5 points behind average and 14% of alfalfa hay has reached first cutting.