|
Illinois now second-largest producer
of both corn and soybeans nationwide
Send a link to a friend
[JAN. 13, 2006]
SPRINGFIELD -- Despite severe drought in most of
the state last year, Illinois produced its second-largest soybean
crop on record and salvaged a decent corn crop, Illinois Agriculture
Director Chuck Hartke announced Thursday.
|
|
According to the United
States Department of Agriculture’s Annual Fall Crop Summary for
2005, soybean production totaled 444.15 million bushels, about 50
million bushels less than the record crop harvested in 2004. The
total ranks Illinois second in the nation, behind Iowa, which
produced 532.65 million bushels of soybeans last year.
Corn production totaled 1.7 billion bushels, down 380 million
bushels from 2004. Iowa harvested the most corn: 2.2 billion
bushels.
"Considering the tremendous challenges that 2005 presented, the
soybean and corn harvests were remarkable -- an indication that our
farmers are among the most productive and efficient producers in the
country," Hartke said.
"The figures, however, do not indicate everything is fine down on
the farm. First, these numbers are statewide averages. I know
firsthand that some farmers suffered significant yield losses
because of the drought and are hurting. Second, input costs remain
high and prices are low. So, although production was respectable,
profit margins are thin and many farmers experienced a drop in their
net income."
[to top of second column]
 |
 Illinois soybeans yielded 47 bushels an acre, three bushels less
than in 2004. Illinois corn yielded 143 bushels per acre, down 37
bushels from the 180-bushel record set in 2004.
Overall, production report figures show U.S. farmers harvested
less corn and soybeans. Corn production nationwide was 11.1 billion
bushels, down 6 percent from the 11.8 billion bushels produced in
2004. The average corn yield was 147.9 bushels per acre, down from
160.4 in 2004.
Nationwide, soybean production totaled 3.09 billion bushels,
compared with the record 3.12 billion bushels harvested in 2004. The
average U.S. soybean yield was 43.3 bushels per acre, 1.1 bushels
higher than the previous year.
For further crop production information, the complete
Annual
Fall Crop Summary is available online at
www.nass.usda.gov.
[Illinois
Department of Agriculture news release] |
