Corn silking behind schedule

Storm clouds roll across north central Illinois Monday afternoon / CIFN photo.

There were 6.4 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 03, according to the weekly crop progress and weather report issued for Illinois on Tuesday (July 5).

Statewide, the average temperature was 73.2 degrees, 1.2 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.36 inches, 0.64 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 33 percent short, 55 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 7 percent very short, 28 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn silking reached 4 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 17 percent. Corn condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 9 percent excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 9 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 21 percent. Soybean condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 54 percent good, 8 percent excellent. Winter wheat harvested for grain was 87 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 79 percent.