State Crop Report for Week of May 13

Farmers in Northern and Eastern Illinois last week were able to plant corn where soils were dry enough. Little progress was made across the rest of the state as farmers were sidelined waiting for saturated soils to dry.

Rains fell again late in the week stalling any drying that had occurred. The heaviest rainfall totals fell over the south central portions of the state where over an inch was received. In other areas of the state totals were generally less than an inch.

Temperatures averaged 59.9 degrees, 1.0 degree below normal.

There were a reported 1.7 days suitable for field work last week with the Northeast area having the highest reported number of days at 3.7. Topsoil moisture levels across the state were rated as 47 percent adequate and 53 percent surplus. The driest soils were in Northern and Eastern Illinois. Subsoil moisture was rated as 3 percent short, 62 percent adequate and 35 percent surplus.

Corn planting progressed to 17 percent complete across the state now compared to 94 percent last year and 64 percent for the five-year average. Concerns are growing regarding the wet soils and lateness for corn planting as well as diseases due to the wet weather in the
wheat crop.

Oat seeding continues to increase and is now at 78 percent, compared to 99 percent last year and 93 percent for the five-year average.

Winter wheat conditions were rated as 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 58 percent good, and 15 percent excellent.

Alfalfa conditions were rated as 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 66 percent good, 13 percent excellent.

Red Clover conditions were rated as 1 percent poor, 9 percent fair, 78 percent good, 12 percent excellent.

Pasture conditions were rated as 2 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 54 percent good, 23 percent excellent.