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According to the latest report from the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA), corn planted has reached 32%, compared to
the 5-year average of 44%.
Brad Summa, director of the USDA Heartland Regional Field
Office, said soybean planting has progressed nicely.
“Soybeans planted reached 33 percent, compared to the 5-year
average of 34 percent,” said Summa. “Soybeans emerged reached 10
percent, compared to the 5-year average of 7 percent.”
Winter wheat reached 23%, compared to the 5-year average of 31%.
The only trouble spot in the state is in southeast Illinois,
where heavy rains this spring caused flooding. Officials report
thousands of acres are still underwater preventing farmers from
getting out in the fields.
In the latest USDA crop report, there were just over 2 days
suitable for fieldwork in the week ending May 4. An extended dry
period for Illinois is expected so planting averages will most
likely escalate in the coming days.
A topic of discussion for farmers this spring has been tariffs.
Agricultural products like soybeans, corn and pork made up the
majority of Illinois' exports to China last year, comprising
nearly $1.5 billion.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. has been getting a bad deal
in global trade and promised that tariffs would boost the U.S.
economy.
Illinois is the top soybean producer in the country, and the
second highest corn producer.
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