Crop counters have updated their harvest forecast

Based on October 1 conditions, the Illinois corn yield is forecast at 200 bushels per acre, down 14 bushels from 2022. (Photo by Andy Melton/flickr)

By USDA

Corn: Planted area is estimated at 11.2 million acres, up 4 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 11.0 million acres, is up 4 percent from 2022. Based on October 1 conditions, the Illinois corn yield is forecast at 200 bushels per acre, down 14 bushels from 2022. Production is forecast at 2.20 billion bushels, down 3 percent from last year’s production.

Soybeans: Planted area is estimated at 10.35 million acres, down 4 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 10.3 million acres, is down 4 percent from 2022. Based on October 1 conditions, the Illinois soybean yield is forecast at 61 bushels per acre, down 2 bushels per acre from last year. Production is forecast at 628 million bushels, down 7 percent from 2022.

Alfalfa hay: Harvested area, forecast at 200,000 acres, is down 17 percent from 2022. Based on October 1 conditions, the Illinois alfalfa hay yield is forecast at 3.60 tons per acre, down 0.05 tons from the previous year. Production is forecast at 720,000 tons, down 18 percent from 2022.

Other hay: Harvested area, forecast at 280,000 acres, is up 10 percent from 2022. Based on October 1 conditions, the Illinois other hay yield is forecast at 1.70 tons per acre, down 0.45 tons from the previous year. Production is estimated at 476,000 tons, down 13 percent from 2022.

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