There are almost twice as many soybeans planted than there were last week.

Almost 80 percent of the soybeans in Illinois have been planted. That’s well ahead of the five-year average, which is 37 percent. Corn had similar success. Nearly all the corn has been planted and 88 percent has emerged, according to this week’s USDA crop progress report.

USDA crop statistician Brad Schwab says farmers could start harvesting corn by August, and there’s a similar opportunity for soybeans as well.

“I would say that opportunity exists depending on how the rains play out for the rest of the year,” Schwab says. “They certainly can.”

However, he says the chances of an early harvest for soybeans still aren’t as likely as corn. Schwab says the impressive week was due to nearly seven full days of suitable fieldwork conditions.

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