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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 allow 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 1998, there were 79,000 farms in Illinois that contained 27.8 million acres of land. The average size of the farms in 1998 was 352 acres. The average per acre nominal value of farm real estate as of January 1, 1999, was $2,190 per acre, which compared to $2,130 per acre on January 1, 1998. COMMODITY PRODUCTION Illinois ranked second among all states in the production of corn and soybeans in 1998. Production of corn for grain during 1998 totaled 1.47 billion bushels, three percent more than produced in 1997. The corn yield averaged 144 bushels per acre, fifteen bushels per acre more than produced in 1997. Soybean production in 1998 totaled 464.2 million bushels, eight percent higher than in 1997 and the highest production level on record. The soybean yield in 1998 was 44.0 bushels per acre, one bushel above 1997 but one and a half bushels below the record set in 1994 of 45.5 bushels per acre. In 1998, Illinois pork producers produced 1.89 billion pounds of pork, ranking Illinois fourth among all states. Pork production increased four percent from the previous year. Cattle and calf production during 1998 totaled 615.4 million pounds, two percent above the production of 1997. Illinois ranked 18th in the United States in marketings of cattle and calves. CASH RECEIPTS In 1998, total cash receipts from farm marketings in Illinois totaled 7.7 billion dollars, which was 14 percent below 1997. Illinois ranked 6th among all states in total cash receipts in 1998. Crop cash receipts in Illinois in 1998 totaled 6.2 billion dollars, a 13 percent drop from 1997 and placed Illinois third among all states in total crop cash receipts in 1998. Livestock and livestock products cash receipts in Illinois in 1998 totaled 1.6 billion dollars, which was 18 percent below 1997 and placed Illinois 18th among all states in total livestock and livestock products cash receipts in 1998. In 1998, corn accounted for 38.0 percent of the total cash receipts in Illinois and soybeans accounted for 34.1 percent. All other crops combined accounted for 7.8 percent of the total cash receipts in Illinois. Compared to 1997, cash receipts for both corn and soybeans decreased 13 percent in 1998. In 1998, hogs accounted for 8.8 percent of the total cash receipts in Illinois while cattle and calves accounted for 6.1 percent and dairy products accounted for 4.1 percent of the total cash receipts. All other livestock combined accounted for 1.4 percent of the total cash receipts in Illinois in 1998. Compared to 1997, cash receipts decreased 33 percent for hogs and six percent for cattle, but increased seven percent for dairy products in 1998. AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS During the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998, Illinois' export shares totaled 3.06 billion dollars, which ranked Illinois fourth 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, eighth in wheat and products and seventh in live animals and meat. |
| Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service Annual Summary - 1999 |
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