Unseasonably warm weather in the first half of December has created opportunities for a southern Illinois grain farmer.

Dave Kermicle farms near Olney where they’ve averaged a high of 57 degrees since December 1st with temperatures in the high 60’s some days.

“We’ve been able to do some fieldwork and some ditching and some things we normally don’t get a chance to get done this time of year, so it’s been good.”

He tells Brownfield warmer temperatures have also helped his later planted winter wheat catch up on growth ahead of winter dormancy.

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