Corn and Soybeans making progress

Posted on June 2, 2020
Emerging corn
Corn and Soybeans are making progress. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ cash crops are making good progress under the sun, and with just enough rain in most places, according to the USDA.

Corn is almost finished planting. Soybeans are 74 percent planted. Corn is 76 percent emerged, soybeans 50 percent. Both crops are rated 56 percent good to excellent.

“Prior to this past week, the growing degree days had been below normal; we’ve been pretty cool,” says Mark Schleusener, state statistician, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. “We finally did get above normal, and the heat will help crops that have adequate soil moisture — and most of illinois has adequate or even surplus soil moisture.”

Dave Dahl 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…