Warmth helps harvest progress
Warm temperatures aided harvest across the state last week, according to the weekly crop progress report issued for Illinois Tuesday.
There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 8. Statewide, the average temperature was 68.8 degrees, 11.2 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.99 inches, 0.19 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 24 percent very short, 37 percent short, and 39 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 27 percent very short, 40 percent short, and 33 percent adequate.
Corn mature was at 90 percent, compared to 99 percent last year. Corn harvest was 38 percent complete, compared to 52 percent for the 5-year average. Corn condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 16 percent excellent.
Soybeans coloring was at 96 percent, compared to 97 percent for the 5-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves was at 90 percent, compared to 89 percent last year. Soybean harvest was 52 percent complete, compared to 36 percent last year. Soybean condition was rated 5 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 13 percent excellent.
Winter wheat planted was at 30 percent, compared to 18 percent last year. Pasture and range condition was rated 20 percent very poor, 27 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 17 percent good, and 1 percent excellent.