Sen. Durbin talking to local farmers at Yuton Elevator.

Sen. Durbin stops in McLean County to view drought impact

The senator met with local ag leaders this morning at Evergreen FS headquarters to learn more about how the drought will impact farmers and agribusinesses in the area.

John Hawkins

Published: Aug 6, 2012

The ag leaders, including IFB director David Meiss, met with Sen. Durbin at the Yuton elevator just northwest of Bloomington-Normal.

Durbin questioned each of the ag leaders about how the drought has impacted them personally, and what they see as long-lasting effects of the drought. Farmers said it's still too early to know the yield impact on both corn and soybeans, but most expect a half a crop at best.

Officials with Evergreen FS told Durbin that the short crop will mean possible layoffs for seasonal help at the elevator, and grain storage income will be curtailed this fall.

Weekly crop update

In its weekly update, the Illinois Ag Statistics Service reported this afternoon that 74% of the state's corn is rated poor-very poor. Thirty-eight percent of the crop is in the dent stage; with 6% of the crop considered mature.

Eighty-two percent of soybeans are setting pods this week, with 57% of the crop rated in poor-very poor condition.

Ninety-four percent of the sorghum crop is rated poor-very poor with 11% of the crop coloring.

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