Dear Friend:

We are happy to bring you another edition of the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Annual Summary. This publication serves as a historical document and recaps the results from a multitude of surveys during the previous year. Our mission is to "serve Illinois, its agriculture and its rural communities by providing meaningful, accurate and objective statistical information". We are able to do this through the voluntary cooperation of thousands of farmers and businesses in Illinois who respond to our surveys. We would like to especially thank the Illinois farmers who take time from their busy schedules to complete our questionnaires and share information about their farm operations.

Although much of the statistical information we publish is for the benefit of farmers, others who serve the agriculture sector also benefit. One of the strengths of our free society is our public information system. Our statistics are not just for the government but are provided on an equal basis to producers, buyers, processors, suppliers, and other interested parties.

Those of you with access to INTERNET will find this publication and our other reports online at our homepage located at http:/www.agr.state.il.us/agstats.htm.

1998 was a difficult year for most Illinois farmers. Too much precipitation in the spring delayed planting of both corn and soybeans and resulted in some last minute shifting of some corn acreage to soybeans. 1998 was the first year that Illinois farmers planted more acres of soybeans than corn. Wheat producers averaged just 48 bushels per acre state-wide, down considerably from 61 bushels in 1997 and wheat prices were well below $3.00 per bushel throughout the year. In spite of the wet spring corn yields were unusually good, averaging 141 bushels per acre, compared to 129 bushels in 1997 and the five-year average of 133 bushels. Soybean yields averaged 44 bushels per acre compared to 43 in 1997 and the five-year average of 41.8. Prices of both corn and soybeans were low throughout the year with corn prices dropping to less than $2.00 per bushel at harvest and soybean prices dropping to just above $5.00. Hog marketings were up from the previous year but prices dropped to a disastrous level of less than $13.00 per hundredweight in December. Cattle numbers were down slightly from the previous year and prices continued to decline to below $60.00 per hundredweight by mid-year.

The staff of the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service is dedicated to serving agricultural data needs for all users. Please contact us any time with your questions, comments and requests for information.