By Andi Anderson
The week ending October 13, 2024, saw favorable weather for fieldwork across Illinois, with 6.9 days suitable for farmers to work in their fields.
The statewide average temperature reached 61.2 degrees, 5.5 degrees above the normal temperature for this time of year. However, the lack of precipitation, with an average of 0.00 inches—0.53 inches below normal—has contributed to increasingly dry conditions.
Topsoil moisture levels are becoming a concern, with 12 percent rated as very short, 46 percent as short, and 42 percent as adequate. Subsoil moisture levels reflect similar concerns, with 13 percent rated very short, 45 percent short, and 42 percent adequate.
In terms of crop progress, corn maturity has reached 97 percent, higher than the five-year average of 89 percent. Corn harvest is also moving along, with 49 percent harvested, compared to the five-year average of 44 percent.
The condition of the corn crop is generally positive, with 55 percent rated good and 21 percent excellent. A small percentage, 1 percent, is considered very poor, while 5 percent is poor, and 18 percent is fair.
Soybeans are also nearing the end of their growth cycle, with 93 percent of plants dropping leaves, slightly above the five-year average of 91 percent. Harvest progress is ahead of schedule, with 62 percent of soybeans harvested, compared to 47 percent over the past five years.
The condition of the soybean crop mirrors that of the corn, with 57 percent rated good and 13 percent excellent. Only 1 percent of the soybean crop is rated very poor, 5 percent poor, and 24 percent fair.
Winter wheat planting is underway, with 33 percent of the crop planted, slightly behind the five-year average of 39 percent. Nine percent of the winter wheat has emerged, compared to the five-year average of 13 percent.
Despite the dry conditions, crops in Illinois are progressing steadily, but moisture levels remain a significant concern for the upcoming season.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: Illinois, Rural Lifestyle, Weather