Motorists are encouraged to be aware of potentially heavy farm equipment traffic on rural roads as farmers are beginning their 2016 harvest season.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 42% of Illinois corn is now considered mature, with approximately 3% of corn fields harvested already. Soybeans are quickly ripening as well, with 50% turning color right now.
Farmers are expecting a big crop, and the USDA rates 85% of the state corn crop as good or excellent, with 79% of the soybeans receiving the same ratings.
Their crops likely won’t be worth very much this fall however, with many predicting that prices may drop to levels lower than farmers have seen in 10 years.