Illinois corn crop enters harvest stage

Posted on September 1, 2015
Corn
One percent of Illinois’ corn crop has been harvest. (Carrie Muehling/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Mother Nature has the last word, said the USDA’s crop statistician in Illinois. That word may as well be nyah!

“Right about now, if we were planting, it might be okay,” said Mark Schleusener of a 2015 season which has seen substandard corn quality and too much rain early. “We’ve got 67-percent adequate and seven percent surplus (moisture reported in Illinois acreage) – that’s good for planting. We’re actually trying to get to harvest, and right now, soybeans could use a little rain into September to help fill out pods and make a good yield.”

Just over half the corn and soybean crops are reported in good-to-excellent condition. The progress is just behind the average, with 21 percent of corn maturing and 11 percent of soybeans changing color. Corn harvest is reported at one percent.

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