Agricultural summary for April 6

Cool, wet conditions this past week slowed the start of the planting season in Illinois. Producers are reporting it may take a few weeks of warm, dry conditions to begin planting in earnest. Temperatures averaged 45.8 degrees, 1.4 degrees below normal across the state.

Statewide precipitation averaged 0.90 inches, 0.11 inch above normal. There were 0.6 days suitable for fieldwork reported. Topsoil moisture was rated 36 percent adequate and 64 percent surplus.

Winter wheat conditions stood at 3 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 64 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Alfalfa conditions stood at 2 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 6 percent excellent.