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That wasn’t the case in June when much of the state was
experiencing drought. In early July, over 92% of Illinois
counties dealt with drought conditions, placing the state as #2
worst in the country, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Central Illinois Soybean Association Envoy Karen Corrigan said
it appears the state’s corn crop deteriorated as the summer went
on.
“I felt like the early corn was going to be the best anyway
because it was the best looking, whereas the later corn was very
uneven and nonuniform, so I expect the yields are going to be
dropping off here,” Corrigan said during a recent Illinois Soy
Advisor podcast.
Southern Illinois Soy Envoy Kelly Robertson said the difference
in yields is very noticeable, even in fields that are located
near each other.
“A lot of guys comment that there is a 100 to 150 bushel
difference between two fields with the same variety planted on
the same day,” said Robertson. “It just depends on what section
you’re in and when it rained.”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), about
half of the state’s corn and soybean crop has been harvested.
Last year, Illinois led the nation in soybean production and was
second behind Iowa in corn production. The USDA expects Illinois
to hold onto those positions this year.
Last year, Illinois accounted for the top five counties in the
U.S. with the highest corn production. McLean County held the
leading spot for the country's corn yield, with around 71
million bushels of corn.
Illinois soybean farmers produced 677 million bushels last year.
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