(SPRINGFIELD) The first cutting of hay is underway across Illinois, with farmers reporting varying levels of progress depending on their region. According to the USDA, the first harvest of alfalfa hay was 25 percent complete statewide as of May 24, trailing the five-year average of 37 percent. The slower pace is largely being attributed to weather-related delays in southern Illinois. Farmers in that area say frequent rainfall over the past two weeks has limited fieldwork, forcing some to delay cutting hay rather than risk harvesting amid an unpredictable forecast.
