Farm

January's temps, precip below norms

Last month, statewide temperatures were below normal, and precipitation was also below normal for all of the state.

Wheat crops were reported to have been blanketed by snow throughout much of the state for most of the month. Winter wheat conditions stand at 5 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 3 percent excellent.

Temperatures averaged 21.7 degrees, 3.1 degrees colder than normal.

Illinois Farm Bureau representatives welcomed the recent announcement by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it has approved a higher blend of ethanol in gasoline for use in cars and trucks produced since 2001.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final fall crop summary and grain stocks report was issued recently. The highlights for Illinois follow.
Corn
Production of corn for grain totaled 1.95 billion bushels in 2010, 5 percent less than was produced in 2009. The final yield was a disappointing 157 bushels per acre, 17 bushels below the previous year. There were 12.6 million acres planted to corn in Illinois in 2010, with 12.4 million acres harvested for grain.

Jan. 31 is deadline  for livestock losses

Qualified Illinois livestock owners with 2010 losses must file an application for payment no later than Jan. 31, according to Farm Service Agency officials.

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance to eligible livestock owners and contract growers for eligible livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather,  including losses due to floods, blizzards, disease, wildfires, extreme heat and extreme cold.