USDA: 87% OF ILLINOIS SOYBEANS PLANTED – Illinois farmers have planted 87 percent of the state’s soybeans – up from 79 percent the week before, according to USDA’s Crop Progress report released Monday. Meanwhile, the report showed 89 percent of Illinois’ corn and 78 percent of the soybeans had emerged as of June 30. USDA Undersecretary of Agriculture Bill Northey Monday estimated prevented planting claims could exceed $1 billion nationwide. (FarmWeekNow)