Fieldwork, limited rain last week

Field work continued over the past week with limited rain in parts of the state, according to the weekly crop progress and weather report issued for Illinois Monday.

There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 9. Statewide, the average temperature was 76.3 degrees, 0.5 degrees above normal.

Precipitation averaged 0.46 inches, 0.34 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 6 percent very short, 32 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 4 percent very short, 25 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Corn silking jumped to 33 percent, compared to 45 percent for the 5-year average. Corn condition was rated at 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 13 percent excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 31 percent, compared with 36 percent last year.

Soybeans setting pods was at 5 percent, compared to 6 percent last year. Soybean condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 10 percent excellent.

Winter wheat harvest was 95 percent complete, compared to the 5-year average of 86 percent. Pasture and range condition was rated at 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 10 percent excellent.