Welcome Rains for Illinois Crops

SPRINGFIELD- Welcome rains from the remnants of Hurricane Isaac soaked many parts of Illinois in the past few days, according to a release Tuesday by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. However, despite the rain, top soil moisture is still 19 percent very short, 28 percent short, 51 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. 12 percent of the corn crop has been harvested, compared to 2 percent last year. Corn conditions were rated 41 percent very poor, 34 percent poor, 21 percent fair and 4 percent good. 7 percent of the state's soybeans are dropping leaves while 41 percent are turning yellow. 19 percent of the beans are very poor, 21 percent poor, 42 percent fair, 17 percent good and only one percent excellent.