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What's not lacking in Illinois: topsoil moisture

Latest report says Illinois's December 2015 rainfall was 4 inches above normal, and temps were 10 degrees above normal.

Holly Spangler, Prairie Farmer Senior Editor

January 8, 2016

1 Min Read

Every week, the National Ag Statistics Service puts out an Illinois crop progress and conditions report. This time of year, they aren't typically very exciting. Except when they're reporting on the last week of 2015.

Their Jan. 4 bulletin reported a total of 6.7 inches of rainfall in December for Illinois, which comes in at 4.01 inches above normal. Average temperature for the month came in at 40.6 degrees, which is 10.8 degrees above normal.

And soil moisture? Topsoil moisture was rated at 43% adequate and 57% surplus – no surprises there. Subsoil moisture came in at 1% short, 59% adequate and 40% surplus.

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Winter wheat is looking good however, with 10% rated excellent, 48% good, 27% fair, 12% poor and 3% very poor.

What's not lacking in Illinois: topsoil moisture


What's not lacking in Illinois: topsoil moisture

About the Author

Holly Spangler

Prairie Farmer Senior Editor, Farm Progress

Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazine’s coverage. She currently serves as editor of Prairie Farmer magazine and Executive Editor for Farm Progress, managing editorial staff at six magazines throughout the eastern Corn Belt. She began her career with Prairie Farmer just before graduating from the University of Illinois in agricultural communications.

An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. In 2015, she became only the 10th U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the Writer of Merit designation and is a five-time winner of the top writing award for editorial opinion in U.S. agriculture. She was named an AAEA Master Writer in 2005. In 2011, Holly was one of 10 recipients worldwide to receive the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Ag Journalism award. She currently serves on the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, the U of I Agricultural Communications Advisory committee, and is an advisory board member for the U of I College of ACES Research Station at Monmouth. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association.

Holly and her husband, John, farm in western Illinois where they raise corn, soybeans and beef cattle on 2,500 acres. Their operation includes 125 head of commercial cows in a cow/calf operation. The family farm includes John’s parents and their three children.

Holly frequently speaks to a variety of groups and organizations, sharing the heart, soul and science of agriculture. She and her husband are active in state and local farm organizations. They serve with their local 4-H and FFA programs, their school district, and are active in their church's youth and music ministries.

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