Crop conditions decline in report

Part of a Livingston County corn field is chopped for silage this week / CIFN photo.

There were 5.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 21, according to the weekly crop progress report issued Monday afternoon for Illinois.

Statewide, the average temperature was 71.3 degrees, 2.5 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.89 inches, 0.11 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 7 percent very short, 20 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 7 percent very short, 19 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Corn dough reached 80 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 85 percent. Corn dented reached 37 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 44 percent. Corn condition was rated 3 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 21 percent excellent.

Soybeans blooming reached 95 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 97 percent. Soybeans setting pods reached 80 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 87 percent. Soybean condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 51 percent good, 17 percent excellent.