Fro State Rep. Dan Ugaste:

Much of Illinois enjoys relief from drought conditions; challenges continue in some subregions

Inadequate rainfall in late spring/early summer 2023 threatened Illinois agricultural production and impacting key milestones of field crop maturity.  A combination of high heat and adequate-to-drenching rainfall in many sections of Illinois has improved the soil conditions reported by many farmers to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  Farmers report 73% of Illinois fields have “adequate” or “surplus” topsoil moisture, more than enough to enable corn and beans to move to the next level.

Farmers say that 64% of Illinois cornfields are now showing “good” or “excellent” condition, with corn dough reaching 80%.  This is in line with the five-year average.  For soybeans, 65% of the bean fields are “good” or “excellent,” with 86% of the crop setting pods, slightly above the five-year average.

Not all sections of Illinois are doing well right now.  Precipitation reports indicate continued inadequate rainfall in some parts of northern, northwestern, and western Illinois. 

The USDA last week added McDonough, McHenry, and Mercer counties to the list of 35 counties where farmers may qualify for emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency with respect to cash flow situations arising from the 2023 growing season.