cropCENTRAL | Field Crop Production Resources

October has taken over where September left off, with warm days and cool nights. Average temperatures over the past week ranged from the high 50s in northern Illinois to the mid-60s in southern Illinois, between 1 and 4 degrees above normal. The dryness of the air has been particularly remarkable, with afternoon relative humidity regularly dipping into the teens and low 20s. While the extremely dry air has been comfortable, it has also added to the lack of precipitation and increased the risk of field fires and blowing dust.…

The heat relented this week, and while temperatures were still above average they were much more pleasant. Average temperatures this week ranged from the mid-60s in northern Illinois to the mid-70s in far southern Illinois, between 2 and 6 degrees above average. September to date temperatures have been right around 1 degree above average for most of the state, but as with most Septembers we have seen quite a bit of variability day to day.
We had a bit of a wetter week across much of the state,…

Russ Higgins – Commercial Agriculture Educator
Grundy County
Soil Conditions: Mildly Dry (soil is drier than normal, plant growth may have slowed)
A widespread rainfall event passed through northeast Illinois putting a temporary hold on harvest activities. This pause gives growers the opportunity to visit fields and evaluate combine performance in harvested areas. This is also one of the easiest times to measure harvest populations in corn fields. For 30-inch rows, count the number of plants in 17 feet 5 inches and multiply by 1000 to determine population per acre.…

Russ Higgins – Commercial Agriculture Educator
Grundy County
Soil Conditions: Severely Dry (soil is very dry, water bodies are very low, vegetation is stressed)
The growing season and grain fill is all but over for most and has ended on a dry note. All fields I have visited have been tinder dry. As harvest gets underway, a reminder to check fire extinguishers, and if available, have a tractor hooked to a tillage implement ready to go to help contain a field fire.…