Wet weather stalls planting

For the second week in a row, cool temperatures, moist conditions and heavy rains have kept seeding and other field activities on hold across the state.
A few areas were able to get out into the field on Sunday evening. The statewide average temperature was 1.2 degrees below normal, at 55.4 degrees.
Average precipitation for the state was 2.34 inches. The norm for the time period is 0.9 inches. Saturated fields and flooding have been a problem at some locations, especially along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.  
Pastures are showing signs of distress on animal pathways and other high-traffic areas. Reporters rated topsoil moisture 32 percent adequate and 68 percent surplus.
Average days suitable for fieldwork were only 0.4.
Corn planted stayed steady from the previous week at 10 percent. The five-year average is 46 percent. Corn emerged was 3 percent, and most is yellow in color.
Oats were 78 percent planted, 5 points higher than the previous week.  
Alfalfa, first crop cut, was 1 percent. Winter wheat conditions stood fairly steady at 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 48 percent good and 6 percent excellent.
Oats were 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 45 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 3 percent excellent.
Alfalfa conditions were 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 60 percent good and 7 percent excellent.
Red clover conditions were 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 60 percent good and 11 percent excellent.
Pasture conditions were rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 55 percent good and 14 percent excellent.