Farmers benefit from mild winter

PEORIA (AP) — Farmers in central Illinois say the mild winter has given them time to prepare early for the growing season.

Knox County Cattlemen's Association President Matt Johnson says livestock producers have benefitted from not having to buy extra feed and their hay supplies are lasting longer. Temperatures are forecast to reach the 70s this week in parts of Illinois.

But Johnson says that doesn't mean farmers will be rushing to plant their crops. He says they'll want to wait until mid-April because there is still a chance of cool weather or frost.

In the Chicago suburbs, warmer weather has meant four brush fires in three counties. One of the fires destroyed a bar and killed six horses.