Dry conditions mixed with cooler temperatures have caused several farmers throughout south central and southwest Illinois to begin the 2011 harvest in the early part of September.

Many farmers have hit the fields a little earlier than preferred, but quality may be at its best right now due to the rough growing season fields fought this year.

With more on this week’s crop report is David Ward with the USDA offices of Illinois in Springfield.

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Tune into the Talk of Central Illinois Newstalk 97.3 WTIM and TaylorvilleDailyNews.com for the crop report all the way until the end of the 2011 harvest.