Farm

A new study of historical land use patterns across seven Midwestern states – including Illinois – reveals little net movement of habitat to cropland and negligible impact on land use even by federal program crops or those covered by crop insurance.
The study, commissioned by seven Midwestern state Farm Bureaus, was conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) of Urbandale, Iowa.  The analysis used a variety of analytical techniques and tools. Datasets for the years 2007 through 2012 served as the point of reference.

Severe weather delayed corn and soybean harvest throughout the state last week.
Significant storm activity on Sunday brought high winds and tornadoes to several counties. While minimal damage was reported in the Southwest, several farmers lost equipment, buildings and homes in the Eastern part of the state.
Wind and rain pushed down standing corn and could make final harvest difficult.
Statewide, precipitation averaged 0.39 inches, which is 0.27 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 40.7 degrees, which is 0.6 degrees below normal.

Corn harvest was once again in high gear on Monday as the rains held off long enough for area farmers to get back in the fields. Shown here are harvest activities by employees of Draege Farms. They are shown in fields south of Vandalia, along Carlyle Road. Tony Draege is operating the combine. Rains on Tuesday and Wednesday will slow the pace of harvest again.

Soybean harvest is still progressing well in Fayette County, with many farmers nearing completion.

Corn harvest is slow to start, largely because grain moisture levels are still high. As a result, many farmers are letting the corn dry in the field rather than running their bin dryers. These pictures were taken in the Kaskaskia River bottoms just east of Vandalia on Monday.