Illinois
Illinois farmers will long remember 2011 because of its extreme weather fluctuations, including heat, excessive moisture, tornadoes, floods, levee breaks and even purposeful levee implosions diverting floodwater onto low-lying crop fields.

The week of June 21-27 brought little relief to affected producers, with an average statewide precipitation of 1.66 inches, 0.75 inch above normal, according to the June 27 Illinois Weather & Crops report issued by the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) Illinois field office.

The spring’s heavy rains are taking their toll on many fields across Illinois in the form of excess topsoil moisture, making pooled water around crops a significant problem for farmers from Cairo to Joliet and all points in between. Topsoil moisture levels topped 90 percent in one district in southern Illinois – an area hit particularly hard by the extreme weather – said Brad Schwab, director of the NASS-Illinois office.

“Every week we seem to be above normal on rainfall,” said Schwab. “Just (two weeks ago), topsoil moisture (averaged) 2 percent short, 38 percent adequate and 60 percent surplus. A lot of the state’s soils have been in that surplus category throughout most of the spring, especially in the southern part of the state. There is certainly standing water in those areas (that are) reporting surplus topsoil moisture.”

Scwhab added that 60 percent average topsoil moisture in Illinois in late June “is a really high number,” led by the southeastern district’s report of 90 percent surplus moisture. Also reporting extremely high topsoil moisture were the state’s western district (86 percent) and west-southwest district (83 percent). The state’s northwestern (30 percent) and eastern (33 percent) districts reported the lowest average topsoil moisture estimates.

In other Illinois crop news, corn planted in Illinois is estimated at 12.5 million acres, down 300,000 from the March USDA Prospective Plantings report and 100,000 acres fewer than last year. An estimated 8.9 million acres of soybeans have been planted in Illinois, down 200,000 from the March report and by the same amount from last year’s plantings, according to NASS-Illinois’ June Acreage and Grain Stocks report issued June 30.
By Tim Alexander
Illinois Correspondent

Indiana
Farmers have been struggling to do fieldwork between thunderstorms throughout most of Indiana, and in the week ending June 24, heavy wind, rain and hail from storms caused some crop damage.

According to a report from the Indiana NASS field office, weed pressure is evident in many fields because growers haven’t been able to make herbicide applications. Nitrogen applications also are behind schedule, contributing to an uneven appearance in cornfields. In addition, wheat harvest and hay cuttings have been sporadic between showers because of wet, muddy conditions.
As of June 24, NASS reported 16 percent of winter wheat was harvested, compared to 28 percent over a five-year average. Last year at the same time, 34 percent was harvested.

Corn emergence and soybean planting are pretty much on target, with 98 percent of the corn emerged, compared to 99 percent for the five-year average and 100 percent last year at the same time.

NASS reported 95 percent of the intended soybean crop planted, which is on target with the five-year average and 1 percent more than last year at the same time. Soybean emergence is a little bit behind the five-year average of 90 percent, though, with 87 percent emerged. Last year, 89 percent of the crop had emerged by June 24.

This year’s first alfalfa cutting is also on track, with 91 percent of the first cutting done, compared to 92 percent on a five-year average and 87 percent last year at the same time. In some southern Indiana counties, a few farmers have started their second cutting.

The bulk of this year’s crops are in fair to good condition, according to NASS. Corn is 76 percent fair to good; soybeans, 81 percent; and winter wheat, 78 percent. Roughly 11 percent of each crop is rated excellent and 3 percent poor.
By Andrea McCann
Indiana Correspondent

Ohio
Milder and drier conditions throughout most of Ohio are a welcome sight for many farmers; however, most growers are still feeling the effects of wet conditions in May. And not all of Ohio avoided the water.

Southwestern Ohio farmers watched as 1.96 inches fell nearly two weeks ago. The region led the state in rainfall for the past 30 days, with 23.24 inches. Farmers there were in the field just two full days while the days suitable for fieldwork averaged 3.4 for most of the state.

Rain this spring has left its mark on this growing season. As of June 28, 88 percent of soybeans were emerged across the state, 1 percent behind last year and 9 percent behind the five-year average. Ten percent of wheat was ripe, compared to 51 last year. Forty percent of oats were headed, compared to 78 percent last year. Eighty-five percent of cucumbers were planted, compared to 79 percent this time last season.

Corn, tomato and potato growers aren’t complaining, however; 81 percent of corn in this state is rated fair to good condition. Processing tomatoes and potatoes are 95 percent planted.

Ten percent of wheat was ripe, compared to 51 percent last year. Ninety-eight percent of winter wheat was turning color, just 1 percent behind 2010. According to the Ohio NASS crop report, the quality of wheat is still undetermined. Heavy rains last month during flowering and pollination, however, may have prevented some heads from producing grain. Some acreage is showing signs of fusarium head blight.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay was 95 percent complete, while the second cutting was just 6 percent complete.
By Doug Graves
Ohio Correspondent