The wheat crop in Illinois is facing challenges due to the active weather conditions this year. Muddy field conditions are making it difficult for wheat growers to apply spring fertilizer and herbicides, while a lack of sunlight is potentially slowing down crop growth. Recent hailstorms also caused damage to a few fields in the northern half of the state, but it did not appear to be widespread as of April 6.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service Illinois field office reported that about 56% of the Illinois wheat crop was ranked good to excellent as of April 3, which is slightly higher than the same time last year. However, 35% of the crop was rated as fair, and 9% were in poor to very poor condition. Wheat growers will have to decide what to do agronomically with each field once field conditions improve.
Meanwhile, drought remains a problem in wheat-producing areas west of the Mississippi River. The US Department of Agriculture reports that about 48% of the crops are in drought-affected regions. The overall wheat crop in the US is currently rated as the second lowest to begin the spring rankings since the NASS data series started in 1986.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-ridvan_celik
Categories: Illinois, Crops, Wheat