The harvest in Central Illinois is nearly done. The winter wheat crop will be planted soon after. (Photo used under Creative Commons from Flickr user Valerie Everette.)

By Stephanie Pawlowski

BLOOMINGTON - Harvest is winding down in McLean County and through out Central Illinois.

Carlock-Danvers area farmer Fred Grieder said the corn harvest has wrapped and there's about two days left for soybeans. He said the quality was about average, or a little less this year, but the yield varied.

"The lighter soils, more rolling that aren't as deep, the yields were off, well below average. The better soils that caught a shower, you're looking at maybe close to average or a little below," Grieder said.

Yield expectations this year were pretty low considering the drought and extreme heat. Grieder said it was the best beginning to the corn crop ever, but said after the temperatures turned in June, the crops were under stress and there was not much expectation for harvest.

"This was by far the poorest growing season we'd seen since 1988, so we weren't expecting much. So, when we found yields that were maybe half to two-thirds of a normal yield, we were thrilled with them," Grieder said.

Soybean yields have been closer to average this fall. Grieder said the heat in June and July was almost worse than the lack of moisture.

Stephanie Pawlowski can be reached at Stephanie.Pawlowski@Cumulus.com.