OTTAWA – North central Illinois Farmers are in survival mode as they continue to play catch-up with their corn crops. LaSalle County’s Farm Bureau President David Isermann says the recent heat wave has helped dry up surfaces, but when it comes to underground conditions, he believes it will take years to cure. Released Monday, the United States Department of Agriculture reported less than 40 percent of corn in their silking stage compared to almost 100 percent last year. Mike Orso, communications strategist for the Illinois Farm Bureau, says farmers need consistent growing degree days around the mid 80s and some rainfall to move their crop along. With unfavorable spotty weather in the past months, some crops in one field can look good while others across the road are fairing poorly. Isermann says even if you planted on time, disease, fertilizing and weed control issues remain.
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