Illinois farmers had a record start to the 2023 planting season, which seemingly set the stage for a successful season. However, Mother Nature changed that potential in a hurry. Crop conditions have dropped like a rock with only 33% of the soybean crop rated good to excellent in this week’s USDA crop progress report, which is down 14% from last week. In regard to the state’s corn crop, 36% is good to excellent, down 12%.
Parts of Illinois are experiencing a flash drought, seeing little to no moisture since the crop was planted. Even though it seems early, farmers say they’re seeing yield loss and without a major rain soon they could be looking at a potential disaster.
The 2023 crop season got off to a great start for McLean, Ill., farmer Brad Wade. Even though he had to replant some soybeans due to frost, he got excellent soybean and corn stands. However, nearly 85% of the state is short to very short on subsoil moisture.
“Our subsoil moisture here in North McLean is very poor. We’ve had just enough rain since planting to keep things going. But we’re on fumes as far as soil moisture goes,” he says.
Crop stress is becoming a real concern, especially in corn as it’s heading into pollination, its key reproductive stage.
“We’re starting to see the effects of some drought stress. The field of corn behind me is starting to roll up and it’s 11 o’clock in the morning and has been relatively cool overnight,” Wade says. “That’s a danger sign.”
With only 36% of the corn rated good to excellent, Wade says it’s already resulting in yield loss.
“If it’s 250 bu. corn going to 200 bu. that’s kind of a big deal. I think we’re 10 days away from that,” he adds. We need rain by the first of July to really stop the damage because we’re determining rows around on corn right now so that’s going to be a factor.”
Soybeans are an August crop, but Wade says that crop is also in jeopardy. Stunted plants won’t put on as many nodes or pods, hurting yield potential. He just hopes El Nino changes the weather pattern before it’s too late.
