Central Illinois farmers see record crops during fall harvest

Posted on October 11, 2024
Farmers continue to harvest across the Central Illinois landscape. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By USDA

SPRINGFIELD – 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 October 1 conditions, the Illinois corn yield is forecast at 222 bushels per acre, up 16 bushels from 2023. Production is forecast at 2.36 billion bushels, up 4 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 October 1 conditions, the Illinois soybean yield is forecast at 67 bushels per acre, up 4 bushels per acre from 2023. Production is forecast at 720 million bushels, up 11 percent from last year.

Alfalfa hay: Harvested area, forecast at 220,000 acres, is up 22 percent from 2023. Based on October 1 conditions, the Illinois alfalfa hay yield is forecast at 3.75 tons per acre, down 0.05 tons from 2023. Production is forecast at 825,000 tons, up 21 percent from last year.

Other hay: Harvested area, forecast at 260,000 acres, is up 13 percent from 2023. Based on October 1 conditions, the Illinois other hay yield is forecast at 2.60 tons per acre, up 0.50 tons from 2023. Production is estimated at 676,000 tons, up 40 percent from last year.

USDA can be reached at [email protected].

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