Crops, wheat harvest ahead of schedule

There were four days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending July 14, according to the weekly crop progress and weather report issued this week for Illinois.

Statewide, the average temperature was 75.5 degrees, 0.9 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 1.93 inches, 1.13 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 3 percent very short, 22 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus.

Corn silking reached 62 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 45 percent. Corn dough reached 8 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 3 percent. Corn condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 16 percent excellent.

Soybeans blooming reached 66 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 40 percent. Soybeans setting pods reached 28 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 9 percent. Soybeans condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 64 percent good, and 9 percent excellent.

Winter wheat harvested for grain reached 96 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 93 percent.