Cooler Temperatures, Lack of Rain Helped Harvest

SPRINGFIELD- Below normal temperatures and a lack of rain provided suitable weather for field work last week in Illinois, according to a release Monday from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Topsoil moisture was rated at 15 percent very short, 34 percent short, and 51 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture levels were rated at 37 percent very short, 46 percent short, and 17 percent adequate. 36 percent of the corn has been harvested with 7 percent of the crop considered good, 42 percent very poor and 33 percent poor. Soybean harvest is beginning but only 3 percent of the crop has been harvested. 79 percent of the soybean crop is turning yellow, compared to 62 percent normally. Soybean conditions were rated at 19 percent very poor, 23 percent poor, 37 percent fair and only two percent excellent.