(The Center Square) – Illinois farmers are playing catch-up this spring planting season.
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.
