News
Illinois corn planting passes halfway mark
Illinois farmers were able to pass the halfway mark of corn planting last week even with rain allowing only a few days suitable for fieldwork.
The USDA reports as of Sunday the crop is 56% planted, up from 37% the week before. That is well ahead of 10% last year and just ahead of the five-year average of 54%. Nine percent of Illinois corn has emerged, seven percentage points behind average.
Soybean planting is well ahead of the 12% state average, reaching 31%. That us up from 18% planted the week before. Only 3% of the crop was planted at this time last year.
One-fifth of Illinois’ winter wheat crop has headed an increase of 14 percentage points from the previous week, but still 8 points behind average. The crop is rated 68% good to excellent.
