ANOTHER WEEK OF VERY LITTLE RAIN HAS LED TO A DECLINE IN ILLINOIS CROP CONDITIONS. 

THIS PAST WEEK WAS COOLER AND DRIER THAN NORMAL, WITH RAINFALL MORE THAN AN INCH BELOW AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR. THAT’S LEFT JUST 33 PERCENT OF SOYBEANS AND 36 PERCENT OF CORN IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT CONDITION. STATISTICIAN MARK SCHLEUSENER LOOKS AT THE WINTER WHEAT CROP.

THE FIRST CUTTING OF ALFALFA HAY IS NEARLY COMPLETE AND FOUR PERCENT OF THE SECOND CUTTING IS DONE. AVERAGE STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE DROPPED TO 42 PERCENT VERY SHORT, 45 PERCENT SHORT AND 13 PERCENT ADEQUATE.

JUST 17 PERCENT OF PASTURE ACREAGE IS RATED IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT SHAPE. 13 PERCENT OF WINTER WHEAT HAS BEEN HARVESTED. THAT COMPARES TO 17 PERCENT NORMALLY. THE FIRST CUTTING OF ALFALFA IS ALMOST DONE AND FOUR PERCENT OF THE SECOND CUTTING IS NOW COMPLETE.