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GENERAL INFORMATION
Agriculture has always been a vital part of the lives of Illinois citizens and the economy of the state. Illinois is gifted with some of the richest agricultural resources in the world. The fertile soil, favorable climate, availability of excellent transportation via water, highway, rail and air, good marketing opportunities and a productive work force are some of the many resources that allows Illinois to be recognized as a world supplier of food and fiber. The variations in soil types, climate and topography in the state make it possible for Illinois farmers to produce a wide variety of agricultural commodities. Approximately 1,500 different soil types can be found in Illinois.
"VALUE ADDED" AGRICULTURE
Food and agricultural product manufacturing and processing contribute significantly to the state's economy. Illinois ranks among the leading states in the number of food and agricultural processing companies in the state, including meat packing, soybean processing, dairy manufacturing, corn processing, feed milling, vegetable processing and many others. Approximately 1,400 food companies are located in Illinois. Furthermore, Illinois ranks number one among all states in the production of ethanol. According to the Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois companies produce approximately 678 million gallons of ethanol annually from approximately 274.2 million bushels of corn.
AGRICULTURAL DIVERSITY
The diversity in soil types allows farmers to grow many well known crops and lesser known specialty crops including alfalfa, amaranth, apples, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, buckwheat, canola, Christmas trees, clover, cucumbers, field corn, ginseng, grain sorghum, herbs, horseradish, mushrooms, nursery products, oats, peaches, popcorn, potatoes, potted plants, rye, seed corn, snap beans, sod, soybeans, strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, winter wheat and others. Livestock is produced using a wide variety of methods ranging from one ostrich in a pen to thousands of head of hogs in total production confinement. Other agricultural animals raised include beef cattle, broilers, buffalo, catfish, crayfish, dairy cattle, dairy goats, deer, emus, horses, hybrid striped bass, layers, mink, minnows, rabbits, sheep, tilapia, turkeys and others.
FARMS AND LAND VALUES
In 1997, there were 76,000 farms in Illinois that contained 28 million acres of land. The average size of the farms in 1997 was 368 acres. The average per acre nominal value of farm real estate as of January 1, 1998, was $2,380 per acre, which compared to $2,210 per acre on January 1, 1997.
COMMODITY PRODUCTION
Production of corn for grain during 1997 totaled 1.43 billion bushels, three percent more than produced in 1996. The corn yield averaged 129 bushels per acre, seven bushels per acre less than produced in 1996. Soybean production in 1997 totaled 427.9 million bushels, seven percent higher than in 1996 and the second highest production level on record behind 429.1 million bushels in 1994. The soybean yield in 1997 was 43.0 bushels per acre, two and a half bushels above 1996 but two and a half bushels below the record set in 1994 of 45.5 bushels per acre.
In 1997, Illinois pork producers produced 1.82 billion pounds of pork, ranking Illinois fourth among all states. Pork production declined nearly eight percent from the previous year. Cattle and calf production during 1997 totaled 629.9 million pounds, three percent below the production of 1996. Illinois ranked 17th in the United States in marketings of cattle and calves.
CASH RECEIPTS
In 1997, total cash receipts from farm marketings in Illinois totaled 9.3 billion dollars, which was two and a half percent above 1996. Illinois ranked 5th among all states in total cash receipts in 1997. Crop cash receipts in Illinois in 1997 totaled 7.3 billion dollars, which was five percent more than 1996 and placed Illinois second among all states in total crop cash receipts in 1997. Livestock and livestock products cash receipts in Illinois in 1997 totaled 1.9 billion dollars, which was six percent below 1996 and placed Illinois 18th among all states in total livestock and livestock products cash receipts in 1997.
In 1997, corn accounted for 38.0 percent of the total cash receipts in Illinois and soybeans accounted for 33.5 percent. All other crops combined accounted for 7.6 percent of the total cash receipts in Illinois. Compared to 1996, cash receipts for corn increased eight percent and cash receipts for soybeans increased 23 percent in 1997.
In 1997, hogs accounted for 10.9 percent of the total cash receipts in Illinois while cattle and calves accounted for 5.5 percent and dairy products accounted for 3.3 percent of the total cash receipts. All other livestock combined accounted for 1.2 percent of the total cash receipts in Illinois in 1997. Compared to 1996, cash receipts decreased eight percent for hogs, eight percent for cattle and ten percent for dairy products in 1997.
AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS
During the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, Illinois' export shares totaled 3.75 billion dollars, which ranked Illinois third among all states in total agricultural exports. During the same year, Illinois ranked second in the export of feed grains and products, second in soybeans and products, 11th in wheat and products and sixth in live animals and meat.
| Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service Annual Summary - 1998 |
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