•May 18, 2016•

By Tyler Harvey,
Douglas-Moultrie Farm Bureau Manager

Spring is once again upon us, and planting is well underway for area farmers. As of May 9, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported that Illinois farmers had 88% corn planted compared to a five-year average of 64% planted.

Soybeans came in at 33% planted compared to the five-year average of 19%. Even with the wet and cool weather, both corn and soybeans are above the five-year average for crop emergence with corn at 42 % emerged and soybeans at 11%. With the dreary weather pattern, though, those percentages will most likely not increase as fast as in previous years; soybean planting is especially behind in the surrounding areas.

Driving between Tuscola and Sullivan and looking at various crops, this crop year looks to be off to a great start. NASS has an updated crop report come out every Monday afternoon at 3 p.m. One thing Illinois farmers do have an advantage in is that they are ahead in the percentage of crops planted compared to both Iowa and Indiana. However, while farmers around Moultrie County may be facing some challenges, our thoughts are with those who have suffered damage from the recent tornadoes and other dangerous weather.      Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.