Illinois crops progressing nicely, bracing for another hot July

At the beginning of the planting season, Illinois experienced high amounts of rain that threatened to push back planting of corn and soybeans throughout the state. 

Two months later, as June comes to a close, the state’s soil is in decent shape despite recent heat waves — and has avoided flooding such as the storms ravaging parts of northwestern Iowa.

With corn planting done, the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Crop Progress report shifted to emergence and silking. Thanks to having 6.2 workable field days in the week ending June 23, the corn crop is 96% emerged and silking is at 1%. Illinois is one of the first nine states to report silking numbers this growing season. 

Corn is also in 62% good/excellent condition.

Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford said the state has navigated early challenges to put itself in a solid position ahead of further heat stress.

“Right now we’re doing OK,” Ford said. “We’re getting storms, at least in the northern half of the state. The rain, I think, will be really beneficial, just giving the crop a shot of moisture.”

Short-term outlook: southern Illinois expecting heat

The first week of July is expected to bring heat to southern Illinois, as the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) forecasts the bulk of the central and eastern Corn Belt to experience temperatures well above average from July 2 to July 8. 

Ford said if the next week plays out like CPC predictions, the state will also have multiple ridge lines through it — heightening the chance of storms and increasing rainfall in the northern half of the state.

“We’re starting in a better spot than in past years,” Ford said. 

Ford added that rainfall during high-heat stress periods could be crucial to keeping crops healthy during the growing season. 

Extended outlook remains warm for Illinois and Corn Belt

In Illinois, it has been a very consistent outlook for summer weather since early in the year — high heat and uncertain precipitation amounts, making it hard to predict when and if key rainfalls will come during the months of July, August, and September. Ford said the state will want consistent precipitation, even if it adds up to less than an inch per week, to keep moisture levels stable in the soil.

Ford said that this will affect pastures and livestock as well.

“Having the persistent heat stress can be problematic for livestock and for farmers and farm workers,” Ford said. “From a heat safety standpoint for animals and for humans, it is not a great picture.”

National outlook

In the most recent three-month outlook for the United States released by the CPC on June 20, higher than average temperatures are projected for not just the entirety of the Corn Belt, but for over 90% of the continental U.S.

While Illinois sits in a pocket of the Corn Belt that is projected to have average rainfall amounts, western Corn Belt states like Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota will potentially have to deal with drier conditions, according to the CPC map.