By USDA
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ first crop yield forecast for 2024 is out.
Corn: Planted area is estimated at 10.8 million acres, down 4 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 10.65 million acres, is down 4 percent from 2023. Based on August 1 conditions, the Illinois corn yield is forecast at 225 bushels per acre, up 19 bushels from 2023. Production is forecast at 2.40 billion bushels, up 5 percent from last year.
Soybeans: Planted area is estimated at 10.8 million acres, up 4 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 10.75 million acres, is up 4 percent from 2023. Based on August 1 conditions, the Illinois soybean yield is forecast at 66 bushels per acre, up 3 bushels per acre from 2023. Production is forecast at 710 million bushels, up 9 percent from last year.
Winter Wheat: Planted area is estimated at 770,000 acres, down 8 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 700,000 acres, is down 10 percent from 2023. Based on August 1 conditions, the Illinois winter wheat yield is forecast at 83 bushels per acre, down 4 bushels from 2023. Production is forecast at 58.1 million bushels, down 14 percent from last year.
Weekly crop progress report:
There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending August 11, 2024. Statewide, the average temperature was 71.4 degrees, 2.4 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.06 inches, 0.85 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent very short, 18 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent very short, 18 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Corn silking reached 96 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 97 percent. Corn dough reached 69 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 63 percent. Corn dented reached 18 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 10 percent. Corn condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 21 percent excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 94 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 91 percent. Soybeans setting pods reached 84 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 69 percent. Soybeans condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 18 percent excellent.
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