Over half of Illinois corn dented

(Corn silage harvest is shown near Pontiac this week)

There were 6.5 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 27, according to the weekly crop progress and weather report issued for Illinois on Monday.

Statewide, the average temperature was 80.9 degrees, 7.3 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.49 inches, 0.23 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 8 percent very short, 35 percent short, 56 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 12 percent very short, 34 percent short, and 54 percent adequate.

Corn dough reached 85 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 88 percent. Corn dented reached 54 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 57 percent. Corn mature reached 7 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 6 percent. Corn condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 8 percent excellent.

Soybeans setting pods reached 88 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 90 percent. Soybean condition was rated 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 13 percent excellent.