THE BELOW NORMAL APRIL TEMPERATURES ARE DELAYING PLANTING A BIT IN ILLINOIS.

MANY FARMERS ARE WAITING UNTIL THE SOIL WARMS TO BEGIN PLANTING IN EARNEST SAYS STATE CROP STATISTICIAN MARK SCHLEUSENER.

SCHLEUSENER SAYS TWO PERCENT OF CORN AND 32 PERCENT OF OATS ARE IN THE GROUND. AS FOR OTHER CROPS.

AVERAGE STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE CAME IN AT TWO PERCENT SHORT…74 PERCENT ADEQUATE AND 24 PERCENT SURPLUS.