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Over a third of corn and soybean fields have been planted around
the state, which is well behind last year. According to the
United States Department of Agriculture Illinois Field Office,
last year at this time, more than half of the corn and soybean
planting was completed.
Kelly Robertson with Precision Crop Services said on the latest
Illinois Soybean Association podcast those who haven’t planted
seed in the ground yet shouldn’t panic.
“Calm down,” said Robertson. “This is a marathon, not a sprint.
Everybody acts like they're so far behind.”
Shelby Weckel with Ehler Brothers Seed said that farmers should
make sure the fields are ready before moving forward.
“Go out, check the fields and make sure they’re right because of
inventory issues that we have this year for seed that is
available, if you don’t do it right the first time, you probably
will not get back what you have in your bag in your shed right
now,” said Weckel.
According to ground reports, farmers in the western part of
Illinois appear to be further along with spring planting than
other areas of the state.
Illinois led the nation in soybean production in 2023 with
nearly 649 million bushels produced. Iowa and Minnesota were
second and third.
Illinois was second in corn production behind only Iowa. McLean
County is the top corn producing county in the country.
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