Planting efforts slow to start in Illinois due to cold

Posted on April 17, 2018
Corn planting
Cold, wet weather has delayed spring planting in Illinois. (WJBC file photo)

By RFD Radio/WFMB

SPRINGFIELD – Nothing might be a slight over exaggeration when describing how much spring planting farmers have accomplished this year. But little has been done so far when it comes to corn planting, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

USDA statistician Mark Schleusener said continued cold and wet weather is hampering efforts to plant corn and soybeans.

“There were scattered reports of corn planting received last week, but not enough to equal one percent,” Schleusener said.

The state’s wheat crop is slowing coming to maturity and over all the crop is in good condition.

The statewide average temperature of 37.3 degrees last week was about three degrees below normal.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…