USDA’s Mark Schleusener: ‘farmers are hoping for the best’ with rain expected

Posted on May 21, 2019
USDA’s Mark Schleusener says more crops were planted within the past week, but with rain on the horizon planting and field work will be put on hold. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – More rain again kept farmers out of the fields this past week, says Mark Schleusener of the USDA crop statistics service in Illinois.

Corn planted advanced to 24 percent, though it was almost done this time last year. Same for soybeans, nine percent planted now.

More than half the state is reporting too much water at both topsoil and subsoil.

Schleusener says some farmers are compelled to put the seed in now, even though conditions are not optimal, and hope for the best if not from their crops, then from insurance.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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