Weekly State Crop Report for May 27

The rains fell again across the state last week bringing planting progress to a halt.

Farmers in most areas of the state were working long hours trying to make up for a slow start to planting when the rains began to fall on Monday.  Some were able to work later in the week but most were sidelined entirely and then even more rain fell late in the week and throughout the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Total rainfall for the week ranged from just over one inch to almost two and a half inches. Localized severe weather caused damage to buildings and trees in various locations dumping several inches and causing flooding.

Crop emergence was excellent during the week as corn plants were emerging after only five or six days of being planted. Cooler temperatures returned late in the week with light frost being reported in far Northern Illinois.  Temperatures across the state averaged 62.6 degrees for the week, 2.7 degrees below normal.

There were 3.3 days suitable for field work last week. Topsoil moisture levels across the state were rated as 53 percent adequate and 47 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated as 2 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 27 percent surplus.

Farmers were trying to keep up with weed spraying last week but were finding it difficult due to the weather conditions.

Hay was being baled last week between the rains but many acres are in need of being cut as soon as the weather will allow. Fungicides were being sprayed last week on the wheat crop. Farmers are scouting for cutworms in their corn.

Winter wheat conditions were rated as 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 59 percent good and 13 percent excellent.  Alfalfa conditions were rated as 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 19 percent excellent.  Red Clover
conditions were rated as 7 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 69 percent good, and 10 percent excellent.  Pasture conditions were rated as 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 9 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 31 percent excellent.