CROP DEVELOPMENT 1996
CORN
Illinois farm operators began planting corn in late March and early April. As of April 7, less than one percent of the corn had been planted. As of mid-April, soil temperatures were still cool. By April 21, 14 percent of the corn crop was planted compared to four percent in 1995 and the five-year average of six percent. By late April, cool temperatures and wet weather restricted corn planting in the southern and northeastern counties, however, good planting progress was made in the west and central areas. Many farmers were still apprehensive to plant because of the continuing low soil temperatures. Measurable replanting of corn occurred due to the cool, wet conditions throughout the state. By May 5, 49 percent of the corn crop had been planted compared to 14 percent in 1995 and the five-year average of 35 percent but planting was nearly at a standstill during the next two weeks because of wet and cool weather. In mid-May the two southern crop reporting districts received eight to 13 inches of rainfall. Planting resumed during the week of May 19-25 but continued at a slow pace until late June. Development of the early planted crop was delayed by cool weather. By July 1, several days of sunshine dried out the few remaining unplanted corn fields and farmers were able to virtually complete corn planting. As of August 12, producers in the northern districts reported the need for warm weather to promote late crop development while growers in the southern districts reported the need for rain. By September 15, one percent of the corn had been harvested in the central and southern districts compared to two percent in 1995 and the five-year average of six percent. By September 30, 59 percent of the corn crop was rated as mature compared to 86 percent in 1995. By late October, the corn harvest was behind schedule as rain in the northern districts continued to prevent corn from drying down. During mid-November, scattered heavy amounts of rainfall halted corn harvesting in the central and southern districts. As of November 17, 92 percent of the corn was harvested compared to 99 percent in 1995 and a five-year average of 92 percent.
SOYBEANS
The first measurable amount of soybean planting occurred during the first week in May. By May 19, soybean planting was five percent complete compared to four percent the previous year and the five-year average of 37 percent. As of June 7, topsoil moisture across the state was rated 78 percent surplus and 22 percent adequate. Wet conditions continued to hamper soybean planting in mid-June. As of June 23, 77 percent of the soybeans had been planted compared to 92 percent in 1995 and the five-year average of 96 percent. By the first week in July, warm, dry conditions became more of the norm throughout the state allowing for virtual completion of all soybean planting by July 15. By late July, the soybean crop looked good throughout most of the state, however, it was maturing later than normal. By July 28, 42 percent of the soybeans had bloomed compared to 46 percent in 1995 and a five-year average of 75 percent. Crop development in the northern districts continued to lag approximately two weeks behind normal. Soybean harvesting began around September 10 in the southern and central districts. By September 22, one percent of the soybeans had been harvested compared to three percent in 1995 and the five-year average of 12 percent. Scattered spells of rainfall continued to push the completion of the soybean harvest two weeks later than normal. By November 3, 87 percent of the soybeans were harvested compared to 99 percent in 1995 and a five-year average of 97 percent. Timely late season rains contributed to an increased state yield.
WHEAT
The condition of the winter wheat crop deteriorated from January to February due to temperature fluctuations that caused freezing and thawing of the crop. There was little or no snow cover on the wheat crop when temperatures dropped to near -20 degrees over 90 percent of the state. As of February 16, winter wheat conditions were rated as one percent excellent, 23 percent good, 45 percent fair, 25 percent poor and six percent very poor. By mid-April, wheat growers needed to decide whether to hold on to the crop or plow it under and prepare the ground for planting of another crop. Wheat abandonment was 33 percent of the planted acreage, the largest wheat abandonment since 1986. By May 3, the condition of the wheat crop had deteriorated further to one percent excellent, 11 percent good, 24 percent fair, 33 percent poor and 31 percent very poor. By May 12, only two percent of the wheat acreage was headed, compared to 44 percent the previous year and the five-year average of 25 percent. By June 16, less than one percent of the wheat crop was ripe compared to 12 percent in 1995 and the five-year average of 22 percent. By August 4, 98 percent of the wheat had been harvested. The final winter wheat estimate for the 1996 crop placed production 39 percent below 1995 production.
OATS
The first oats were planted in the southern part of the state in mid-March. By April 14, 72 percent of the oat crop had been planted compared to 42 percent in 1995 and a five-year average of 50 percent. The planting of oats remained ahead of schedule in 1996 compared to the previous year. However, the cool late spring and early summer temperatures slowed the development of the crop. By June 23, 11 percent of the oat acreage had reached the filling stage compared to 30 percent in 1995 and a five-year average of 46 percent. By August 18, 99 percent of the oat crop had been harvested compared to 95 percent in 1995 and a five-year average of 96 percent. The final oats estimate for 1996 placed the production at 4.62 million bushels, 14 percent below the 1995 production.
SORGHUM
The first measurable amount of sorghum was planted around mid-May. By May 26, five percent of the sorghum had been planted compared with three percent in 1995 and a five-year average of 32 percent. By June 30, 90 percent of the sorghum crop was planted compared to 82 percent in 1995 and the five-year average of 94 percent. By mid-July, the sorghum had started the heading process. By August 18, 66 percent of the sorghum crop had completed the heading process compared to 51 percent in 1995 and the five-year average of 82 percent. The first noticeable harvesting of the 1996 sorghum crop began in mid-September. By late October, 31 percent of the sorghum crop had been harvested, compared to 63 percent in 1995 and the five-year average of 67 percent. By mid-November, 80 percent of the sorghum crop had been harvested. Total sorghum production was 18.5 million bushels in Illinois, up 58 percent from the previous year.
SUMMARY
The crop season started with below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation. As of March 15, topsoil moisture was rated as two percent surplus, 57 percent adequate, 37 percent short and four percent very short. Excess rains in April and May and continued storms in June resulted in about one half of the corn crop and most of the soybean crop being planted later than normal. As of May 24, topsoil moisture across the state was rated as 39 percent surplus, 59 percent adequate and two percent short. As of July 29, some areas in the northern districts were still flooded from heavy rains from the previous week. Overall, timely rains and cool temperatures throughout the summer resulted in average to above average yields despite the late planting. Corn harvesting got underway during the last half of September, about one week behind normal. The late soybean planting resulted in a delayed harvest with less than one half of the crop harvested by October 13.
Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service
Annual Summary - 1997 |
Page 24 |
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