Farm

President  Barack Obama has called the U.S. government’s approach to drought assistance an “all-hands-on-deck effort,” and he has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies to find additional ways to help those impacted by drought.
To date, the USDA has taken a wide variety of administrative action – including streamlining the disaster designation process, which has allowed the agency to more quickly authorize emergency aid for producers. In Illinois, 102 counties have been declared primary disaster areas for drought.

Temperatures moderated somewhat compared to previous weeks, while the rainfall total once again fell below average. Statewide temperatures averaged 72.8 degrees, 0.9 degrees below normal.
Precipitation totaled 0.28 inches, 0.63 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture was unchanged from last week, with 72 percent very short, 23 percent short and 5 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture was rated 80 percent very short, 17 percent short and 3 percent adequate.

Billowing dust plumes follow farmers’ trucks as they drive the parched gravel roads near Vandalia. And the crops lining those roads clearly illustrate the toll taken by the worst drought in decades.

Above-average temperatures and below-normal precipitation persisted last week, with reports of small, fast-moving showers throughout the state.
Statewide temperatures averaged 81.6 degrees, 6.6 degrees above normal.
Precipitation totaled 0.31 inches across the state, 0.53 inches below normal.
Topsoil moisture was rated  85 percent very short and 15 percent short.
Subsoil moisture was rated 86 percent very short and 14 percent short.
Some producers reported concerns of spider mites, and are preparing to spray for them.