Illinois crops aided by recent rains

Posted on August 25, 2015
Illinois corn crop
Fifty-six percent of Illinois’ corn crop is rated good to excellent. (Photo by stephaniesays/flickr)

By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Rain helped the crops a little in the week just past, according to the USDA’s state statistician in Illinois.

“There was actually some corn harvested in Sangamon County last week,” said a surprised Mark Schleusener. “I don’t think the bulk of producers will get going with their combines until after Labor Day.”

The current ratings for progress and condition: Corn is three percent mature and 56 percent in good-to-excellent condition. Soybeans are 88 percent setting pods and 52 percent in good-to-excellent condition.

“The state averaged 1.39 inches” of rain last week,” said Schleusener, noting that’s almost .75 inches more than normal. “When August hit, things kind of dried out quickly, so that rain was welcome.”

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…