Illinois Crops Benefit From Timely Rainfall
Adequate topsoil moisture jumped 12 percentage points as corn and soybean ratings edged higher and development stayed on pace with historical averages.
Illinois crop development remained near normal as of Aug. 2, with corn silking and dough stage matching the five-year average, soybean blooming and pod setting in line with historical norms, and corn denting running ahead of both last year and the five-year average, USDA data showed.
A strong low-pressure system brought much needed rain across most of Illinois over the past week, triggering flash flood alerts and localized flooding in some locations.
Cooler, drier weather moved into the state as the system exited.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Weather Highlights today said near- to below-normal temperatures following widespread rainfall are benefiting corn and soybean crops across the Corn Belt, with Midwest highs expected to range from 80°F to 90°F.
Mostly sunny to partly cloudy conditions will prevail across Illinois through midweek, with little measurable rainfall expected for a majority of the state over the next two days.
Illinois topsoil moisture improved sharply during the week ended Aug. 2, with adequate moisture rising to 73% from 61%, while short moisture fell to 14% from 23%, USDA data showed.
Illinois corn conditions improved modestly in the week ended Aug. 2, with the share of the crop rated good increasing to 47% from 46% and poor and very poor ratings each declining 1 percentage point, while the excellent rating held at 13%, USDA data showed.
Illinois soybean conditions improved in the week ended Aug. 2, as the share of the crop rated good rose to 48% from 46%, while poor and very poor ratings each fell 1 percentage point and the excellent rating slipped to 10%.
The latest 6- to 10-day outlook calls for a high probability of above-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation across Illinois, potentially supporting late-season crop development, according to the Climate Prediction Center.
