The wheat harvest in southern Illinois gained momentum as growers encountered brief rain delays during the third week of June. While some areas were fortunate to receive timely showers, others faced challenges due to dry and hardened ground conditions, hindering planting activities.
The farmer highlighted the positive impact of the rain, allowing them to pause wheat harvesting temporarily and focus on planting double-crop soybeans. However, he acknowledged that not all farmers enjoyed the same fortune, making planting difficult in some areas.
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Illinois field office, as of June 20, the statewide wheat harvest progress stood at 13%, trailing the average pace by 4 points. Despite the slight delay, NASS projects an optimistic average wheat yield of 78 bushels per acre this season, a mere bushel away from the state record.
He expressed satisfaction with the current yields, noting that they were a little over halfway through the harvest and aiming to finish early in the week with favorable weather conditions. The family of the farmer increased their wheat acreage this year, primarily due to crop rotation, and they plan to utilize a portion of their wheat harvest for beer production at their Lieferbrau Brewery in Red Bud.
Source : wisconsinagconnection