Illinois farmers expected to pull less crop from fields this year

Illinois’ farmers are hitting the fields and a federal estimate predicts they’ll be harvesting less than last year. (Photo Flickr/2sirius)

By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – As the fight for trade deals continues in Washington, Illinois farmers are expected to harvest less than last year.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released its latest Illinois crop production estimates on Thursday. The expected yields for corn dropped further.

“NASS forecasts the 2019 corn yield to be 179 bushels per acre, down thirty-one from last year’s record high yield of 210,” NASS State Statistician Mark Schleusener said.

Soybeans are projected lower as well.

“The soybean yield for Illinois is forecast at 51 bushels per acre, down 12.5 bushels from last year and down two from last month,” he said.

That’s tough news for farmers already dealing with lower commodity prices due to a stalled trade deal between the U.S. and its Canadian and Mexican neighbors.

In 2018, Illinois farms produced uncharacteristically high yields but the 2019 spring rains delayed the planting season, leaving crops late to mature. Now, farmers have a smaller window to harvest before winter sets in.

Indigo Agriculture estimated that Illinois and several other states’ average bushel per acre yield for corn and soybeans were 12% and 18% behind the average, respectively.

Illinois Radio Network can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…