USDA: Illinois Corn, Soybean Crops Excelling

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Illinois' corn and soybean crops are faring well, and 81 and 77 percent respectively.

The USDA says in its weekly crop-status update that 81 percent of the state's corn is rated as either good or excellent. Ninety-four percent of the crop is silking, mirroring the average over the previous five years.
 
Roughly 77 percent of Illinois' soybean crop is considered good or excellent. Seventy-nine percent of the soybeans in the field are now blooming, 5 percent points below the five-year average.
 
The USDA says that's all despite the fact that rainfall statewide last week was a half inch below normal.
 
The department says 65 percent of Illinois pastures were considered good or excellent