Warmer temperatures growing encouragement for local farmers

Posted on August 7, 2018
Flooded crops
Recent warmer weather is showing signs of promise for Illinois farmers. (Shane McGraw/flickr)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois farmers this past week saw temperatures return to average, as the good news continues from the USDA’s weekly crop report.

“Rainfall was one quarter inch above normal,” said Illinois statistician Mark Schleusener. “In the northern and western parts of the state, they had below average rainfall last week. The rest of the state ranged from a little above normal to more than an inch and a half above normal for the week.”

More than 80 percent of Illinois corn is in the dough stage and more than 20 in the dent stage, with 81 percent in good to excellent condition.

As for soybeans, 84 percent are setting pods. 75 percent are good to excellent.

Friday morning (11 a.m. Central time) is when the first 2018 yield forecast comes out.

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