WHILE FARMERS HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO WORK IN THE FIELDS THIS PAST WEEK…ILLINOIS CROPS COULD SURE USE A GOOD RAINFALL.

97 PERCENT OF CORN IS NOW EMERGED…AND STANDS AT AN AVERAGE HEIGHT OF 13 INCHES…WELL ABOVE CONDITIONS AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR SAYS CHIEF STATE CROP STATISTICIAN BRAD SCHWAB.

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SCHWAB ADDS 94 PERCENT OF SOYBEANS ARE NOW PLANTED AND 78 PERCENT HAS EMERGED.

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THE FIRST CUTTING OF ALFALFA HAY IS NEARLY COMPLETE AND 34 PERCENT OF THE WINTER WHEAT CROP IS RIPE. AVERAGE STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE STANDS AT ONE PERCENT SURPLUS…36 PERCENT ADEQUATE…48 PERCENT SHORT…AND 15 PERCENT VERY SHORT.