|
According to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture survey,
the soybean crop condition was rated 3% very poor, 6% poor, 21%
fair, 53% good, and 17% excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached
89%, compared to the 5-year average of 79%.
The corn condition was rated 4% poor, 18% fair, 56% good, and
20% excellent. Corn dented reached 40%, compared to the 5-year
average of 27%.
In 2023, Illinois farmers produced 2.2 billion bushels of corn,
slightly up from the previous year, with an average yield of 206
bushels per acre. While Illinois ranks number two in corn
production behind Iowa, the state is number one in total
economic output contribution due to corn farming.
The National Corn Growers Association used economic analysis
software to calculate the direct, indirect, and induced impact
of corn farming for grain production on the U.S. economy at the
state and national level.
There is news of a new use of corn. Cameron Rylance of Bluestem
Biosciences told the Illinois Corn Growers Association that they
have uncovered a technology that could boost corn demand by over
a billion bushels.
“Through anaerobic fermentation which is currently used to
produce ethanol, we can produce chemicals that are currently
made using petroleum,” said Rylance. “So if you think of a lot
of clothing materials, or the super absorbent polymer in a
baby’s diaper.”
|
|
