CORN PLANTING IN ILLINOIS IS STARTING TO WRAP UP AS WE HEAR IN THE WEEKLY CROP REPORT. 

92 PERCENT OF CORN HAS BEEN PLANTED AND 76 PERCENT HAS EMERGED. THAT’S WELL AHEAD OF LAST YEAR AND ABOUT ON PAR WITH THE FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE. CROP STATISTICIAN MARK SCHLEUSENER SAYS 56 PERCENT OF CORN IS RATED IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT CONDITION, ABOUT THE SAME AS LAST WEEK.

74 PERCENT OF SOYBEANS HAVE BEEN PLANTED AND 50 PERCENT HAS EMERGED.

86 PERCENT OF WINTER WHEAT HAS HEADED AND THE FIRST CUTTING OF ALFALFA IS 29 PERCENT COMPLETE. AVERAGE STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE IS RATED AS THREE PERCENT SHORT, 70 PERCENT ADEQUATE AND 27 PERCENT SURPLUS.