By most measures related to weather and growing conditions, 2015 for Illinoisans has turned out to produce a fairly decent start to the season – save for a little extra rain during the latter part of the week ending June 6.

"And we all are aware of the general thought about farmers and the weather; there’s always something to complain about, right?" joked Emerson Nafziger, crop scientist at the University of Illinois. Kidding aside, he noted the season has gotten off to a nice start across the state.

Temperatures statewide averaged 69.9 degrees for the week ending June 1, nearly 4 degrees above normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) weekly report. Precipitation also spiked a bit, up to an average of 2.22 inches for the week – an increase of more than 1 inch.

For the most part, conditions have been ideal, lessening the concern of additional nitrogen loss in the soil, Nafziger noted. "Warm temperatures during parts of May moved crop development along, and a lot of the nitrogen planned for application after crop emergence has been applied," he said.

But with late rains, concern still exists, he added. "Reapplying more nitrogen late or using higher rates at sidedress time due to expectations of nitrogen loss happens every year, and while that might be less common this year, it remains a consideration."

Nearly the entire corn crop in Illinois has emerged, finishing the week at 94 percent, well ahead of the five-year average of 88 percent and ahead of last year’s pace of 90 percent. It’s doing well, overall, with 79 percent rated as good or excellent.

Soybeans planted hit 82 percent, above the five-year average of 73 percent and about equal to last year’s pace. Just slightly above half the crop in the state has emerged, according to NASS.

Winter wheat emergence hit 94 percent, but just 55 percent of the crop was rated at good or excellent, with 35 percent rated as fair.