News

IL planting now ahead, emergence lagging behind

Illinois planting progress has caught up to the average pace, emergence remains behind.

USDA says 78 percent of the state’s corn crop is planted, even with the five-year average. Forty – eight percent of the crop has emerged, 24 percent behind last year.

Sixty – two percent of Illinois’ soybean crop is planted, five percent ahead of average. More than a quarter of the crop has emerged, less than half of this time a year ago.

Heading for Illinois’ winter wheat reached 71 percent, nearly 20 percent behind last year. Wheat’s condition rating improved slightly to 85 percent fair or better.

Pasture conditions improved last week with most ground in fair or good condition; 49 percent rated good, and 27 percent rated excellent. Topsoil moisture is 70 percent adequate and 23 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture is 74 percent adequate and 20 percent surplus.