•August 31, 2016•

By Tyler Harvey
Douglas-Moultrie Farm Bureau Manager

As of Sunday, August 21, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has Illinois corn condition rated at 57% good and 27% excellent. Corn denting is at 47% which is slightly lower from this time last year. Soybean conditions include 58% good and 21% excellent. Soybeans setting pods are at 89% for the year as well. NASS comes out with a weekly updated crop report every Monday at 3 p.m.

Driving between Tuscola and Sullivan and looking at various crops, the majority of corn and soybeans seem to be moving right along. Depending who you speak to, it seems that some harvesting could start as early as the week of Labor Day to the middle or end of September. You can really tell the differences in certain corn varieties by the color of the stalk and leaves. With the multiple inches of rain, we received the week of the 15th, this precipitation will also slow down the crops from continuing on their way to maturity. However, the rain was a welcome sight especially for soybeans. The extra moisture will help the pods on the soybean plant fill more and have a better weight.      Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.