ILLINOIS CORN AND SOYBEAN CROPS ARE PROGRESSING AHEAD OF THE FIVE YEAR AVERAGE FOR THE MOST PART. 

CROP STATISTICIAN MARK SCHLEUSENER SAYS 97 PERCENT OF SOYBEANS ARE SETTING PODS, COMPARED TO 94 PERCENT NORMALLY. 72 PERCENT IS RATED IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT CONDITION. 

71 PERCENT OF CORN IS IN THE DENT STAGE OR BEYOND AND 12 PERCENT IS MATURE. 70 PERCENT OF THE CORN CROP IS RATED IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT CONDITION SAYS SCHLEUSENER. 

THE THIRD CUTTING OF ALFALFA IS NOW 84 PERCENT COMPLETE, AND AVERAGE STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE DECLINED TO 12 PERCENT VERY SHORT, 40 SHORT AND 48 PERCENT ADEQUATE.