By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The spring-like weather in February and now March has allowed a number of farmers to get out and start working ground that has thawed, which is typically weeks from happening in Illinois.

David Yandell, southern region manager for Illinois Farm Business Farm Management Assistant, said that the weather, combined with Southern Illinois’ sandier soils, has allowed some ambitious farmers to start working ground that might have been compacted and even putting down fertilizers.

Should the decent weather hold and moisture levels not swing too much, he thinks the weather could give Illinois farmers a real edge this season.

“If we continue to have unseasonably warm temperatures, and we have ample soil moisture to go along with those, I think farmers could see a very large competitive advantage,” said Yandell.

Yandell warned that the plant date for federally subsidized crop insurance could hold some farmers back from planting early. To qualify for federal crop insurance subsidies, farmers cannot plant before the date set by the USDA. Farmers looking to plant early could be putting themselves at risk should they need to file a claim.

“You could be at a significant financial disadvantage there,” Yandell said.

Yandell had seen a few farmers in Southern Illinois planting for early silage, but even those are few and far between. According to the USDA, Illinois farmers typically start getting corn in the ground on April 14 and soybeans on May 2. Spring oats are typically sewn starting in late March.