USDA state statistician: ‘large percentage of corn and soybeans are rated poor’

Posted on September 4, 2019
Illinois USDA state statistician Mark Schleusener says corn is beginning to mature, with soybeans almost done blooming. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ cash crops could be of concern to some, as a relatively large percentage of corn and soybeans are rated poor-to-very-poor. That’s 19 percent for corn and 17 percent for soybeans.

Mark Schleusener, state statistician for the USDA in Illinois, says it definitely speaks to a mixed result for 2019, with some very bad pockets — along with some good ones.

Corn is beginning to mature, with 46 percent denting and 82 percent in the dough stage. Soybeans are almost done blooming and are 84 percent setting pods.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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