USDA: Illinois crop conditions improve over the week

Posted on July 12, 2022
Corn silking reached 15 percent, compared to the 5 year average of 40 percent. Corn condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 13 percent excellent. (Photo by Andy Melton/flickr)

By USDA

SPRINGFIELD – There were 4.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 10, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 77.5 degrees, 1.5 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 2.07 inches, 1.22 inches above normal.

Topsoil moisture supply was rated 9 percent very short, 22 percent short, 59 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 9 percent very short, 23 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Corn silking reached 15 percent, compared to the 5 year average of 40 percent. Corn condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 13 percent excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 29 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 37 percent. Soybeans setting pods reached 2 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 9 percent. Soybean condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 49 percent good, 14 percent excellent.

Winter wheat harvested for grain was 92 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 90 percent.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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…