SHELBYVILLE, IL. —
The next two weeks are crucial for area crops, according to local farmers.
Illinois, as well as much of the nation, is experiencing drought conditions that is affecting the corn crop. The recent more than 100 degree-temperatures have also been a factor in stressing the crops.
The Illinois State Water Survey reports that most of southern and central Illinois are considered in drought based on precipitation deficits of five inches or more dating back to July 2011, with deficits of eight inches or more in southeast Illinois and up to 12 in portions of west-central Illinois during that time.
“We (Shelby County area) are down more than 10 inches for the year and down more than 2.5 inches for June,” said Jim Looft, University of Illinois Extension director. “The rains have been pretty spotty.”
In Shelby County one township reported over an inch of rain, four townships reported over a half inch of rain, and other townships reported .2 inch to none at all.
The early planted corn has pollinated, but it is now a wait and see if the kernels fill out.
“The early corn has a chance, but we won’t know for sure until combining,” Looft said.
Looft noted that the southern part of the county, overall, is in worse shape.
“Our corn is still green here,” said Robert Jordan who farms in the northwest part of the county. “I was visiting with a farmer down near Sigel and he decided to chop up his crop for silage. I think Shelby County for the most part is going to be hurting.”
Jordan noted that where there has been rain, the crops look more hopeful. But looks can be deceiving.
“The field may look good from the road, but you don’t know what it’s really like until you get deeper into the field,” Jordan said.
“The full extent of drought-related crop damage is not known yet, but early assessments indicate farmer will sustain substantial yield losses, especially in southern Illinois, where much of the corn crop has been destroyed,” said Illinois Department of Agriculture Acting Director Bob Flider.
Twenty-six counties in southern Illinois have already been declared disaster areas and additional counties are expected to qualify for the designation in coming weeks.
The soybean fields still look green, but the plants have gone into a semi-dormant state, according to Looft.
“They will be going to blooming soon and they will also need rain,” he said.
The dry and hot conditions have also affected crop prices, but in a good way. The price of corn has climbed to more than $7 per bushel.
“With prices going up, people might want to look at pricing next year’s crop,” Looft advised.
Jordan estimates that some fields could yield 100 to 135 bushels per acres which is still less than normal years. But some fields may get, especially in the southern part of the county may yield less than 50 bushels.
“There’ll be a yield - it just won’t be much. It’s not going to be great anywhere,” Jordan said.
“It’s still kind of a guessing game. The only thing we know for sure is we need more rain,” he said.
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Related Photos
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Although ears are on the stalks, the kernels need to fill out and rain is needed to do so. Shelby County corn crops are stressed resulting in stunted growth and dried stalks. Photo by Valorie Eversole
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