USDA’s latest crop progress and condition report (Moday) showed 41% of the state’s wheat was harvested, up 21 points from the week prior. Harvest pace is well ahead of the same time last year (15%) and the five-year average (32%).
“Wednesday (June 17) found us wrapping up wheat harvest, finishing up double-crop planting and spraying burndown. Overall, our wheat crop was very good,” FarmWeek CropWatcher Stephanie Leifer in Randolph County reported.
Corn and soybeans are also progressing at or above average pace, with 1% of corn silking and 3% of soybeans blooming.

However, severe weather and heavy rains caused crop damage and ponding in some areas.

“If we can dry out this week, I think the impact to the current crop is going to be minimal,” FarmWeek CropWatcher Dave Mool in McLean County told Jim Taylor with the RFD Radio Network.

Meanwhile others are still searching for some moisture.
“With virtually no subsoil moisture, we need rain to get the beans up. Corn has started tasseling. It’s long overdue for a soaking rain and you can definitely see the stress on it during the heat of the day,” FarmWeek CropWatcher Melissa Williams in White County reported.

USDA rated the condition of Illinois corn 14% excellent, 46% good, 31% fair, 7% poor and 2% very poor. Soybeans are considered 14% excellent, 44% good, 33% fair, 7% poor and 2% very poor.

94.1 WGFA   * courtesy - FarmWeek