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Southern Illinois rains could rob top end wheat yields
Excess moisture in the largest winter wheat growing region of Illinois has some farmers concerned about long-term condition of the crop.
Lance Panzer of Waltonville tells Brownfield the crop went in well and has had good emergence but, he expects the amount and frequency of rains in his area this spring will rob the top end of wheat yields.
“With so much rain falling, I really think it is going to suffer from loss of nitrogen. I don’t know how much it will take off, but I am sure we have suffered some top-end losses.”
He says farmers will know more as the crop matures.
“I think as we go along into head fill, we will start to see some more yellowing show up because of the wetter weather. Wheat loves dry feet, so it’s not liking weather here at the moment.”
In the latest crop progress and condition report, the USDA rated Illinois winter wheat 40% good to excellent, down five percentage points from the previous week and well below 71% at this time last year.
