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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Weather Much Different For Illinois Farmers In 2013

This year's cooler, wetter weather is much different than what Illinois farmers were dealing with last year. Last year's drought almost appears to be a distant memory for growers. At this time last year, Rendleman Orchards Vice President Wayne Sirles was worried about a lack of rain and intense heat. This year, he says, is just the opposite.

"We've pretty much had the right about of rain, at about the right amount of timing. And as far as comparing it to last year, we're almost at the other end of the continuum. This time last year, we were extremely hot and dry" Sirles said.
 

Sirles says cooler temperatures will mean crops may be a bit late in coming in this year. Right now, they're running a week to ten days behind the average - but he says peaches, apples and other fruits and vegetables are faring better this year than last.

Meanwhile, Sirles says even though rainfall totals are much higher now than they were a year ago, he thinks the effects of last year's drought are still being felt as soil moisture is still trying to catch up.