Associated Press - October 21, 2009 1:04 PM ET

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Unusually cold and wet weather has hampered Illinois farmers' attempts to bring in the crops.

A temperature that averaged 12 degrees below normal last week and rainfall exceeding the average could push harvesting of corn and soybeans into December.

Officials say 79 percent of the state's corn crop has matured, but only 11 percent has been harvested. More than 90 percent of Illinois' beans are ready, but only 13 percent pulled in.

With the weather more agreeable this week, farmers say they're in their fields well into the night and could continue that schedule for weeks.

Sangamon County Farm Bureau manager Jim Birge says corn and bean yields promise to be "respectable" - about 181 bushels of corn per acre and 60 to 65 bushels of beans.

Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com

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