Mixed Results on Corn Harvest to Date in Illinois

BY DANIEL GRANT, FARMWEEK

Illinois farmers harvested 10% of the corn crop and 6% of soybeans as of Sept. 25, slightly behind the average pace for both crops.

And, so far, yield and crop moisture reports have been as variable as the summer rainfall patterns.

Henry Kessler, president of the Clay County Farm Bureau, reported early corn yields in his area between 160 and 200 bushels per acre. But, elsewhere, some yields were half that within the same county.

“Rain was the deciding factor,” he told FarmWeek.

In Sangamon County, FarmWeek CropWatcher Jimmy Ayers reported corn yields ranged as low as 150 all the way up to 260 bushels per acre halfway through harvest in his area.