ILLINOIS
FARM REPORT

CORN PRODUCTION UP SLIGHTLY

The final corn for grain yield estimate was 140 bushels per acre, one bushel less than the 1998 yield and 16 bushels below the 1994 record yield of 156 bushels per acre. Production totaled 1.49 billion bushels, slightly larger than the 1998 production of 1.47 billion bushels and the fifth highest production on record. Of the 10.8 million acres planted to corn, 10.65 million acres were harvested for grain. This was 200 thousand acres more than the acres harvested for grain in 1998. Planting was limited during April, with less than ten percent of the crop planted by May 1. However, warm, dry weather during the first week of May allowed planting progress to surpass the five-year average by May 9. The crop got off to a very good start as June provided adequate rainfall. The latter half of July wasn't as cooperative though, as prolonged heat and dry weather stressed the crop and pushed maturity. In mid-August, a severe thunderstorm with high winds moved through central Illinois, causing damage between the Illinois River and Springfield. The crop continued to mature well ahead of average and limited harvesting began by the end of the month. Producers took advantage of dry conditions during September and October to harvest at near record levels. By October 31, 94 percent of the crop had been harvested.

SOYBEAN PRODUCTION SECOND HIGHEST

The final yield for the soybean crop was 42 bushels per acre, two bushels below the 1998 yield. Production totaled 443.1 million bushels, five percent below the 1998 record production of 464.2 million bushels, but the second highest production on record. Planted and harvested acreage, at 10.6 million and 10.55 million, respectively, were both equal to the record acreages planted and harvested in 1998. Planting of the 1999 crop got off to a slow start at the beginning of May, but caught up during the last half of the month and was mostly finished by mid-June. Warm, sunny weather advanced crop development but above average temperatures during the last half of July began to stress the crop. Near to below normal precipitation coupled with near to below normal temperatures during August and September helped to push the crop to maturity. Near ideal harvest conditions during October helped harvest progress ahead of normal and was nearly complete by October 31.

WHEAT PRODUCTION UP FIVE PERCENT

The final estimate for the 1999 winter wheat crop had a yield of 60 bushels per acre, one bushel below the record yield of 61 in 1997. Acreage seeded in the fall of 1998 was 1.05 million, 16 percent below the 1.25 million acres seeded in 1997. Farmers harvested 1.01 million acres for grain in 1999 resulting in total production of 60.6 million bushels. This was five percent more than the 1998 production of 57.6 million bushels.

SORGHUM YIELD UP 21 BUSHELS

The final yield for sorghum for grain was 95 bushels per acre, 21 bushels above the 1998 yield of 74 bushels per acre. Production for 1999 totaled 9.215 million bushels, 16 percent above the 1998 production. Total planted and harvested for grain acreage in 1999 of 100 and 97 thousand acres, respectively, were the lowest since 1988 when planted and harvested for grain acreage totaled 90 and 80 thousand acres, respectively.

The final oats estimate for 1999 placed the production at 4.26 million bushels, nine percent above the 1998 production. Acreage harvested for grain, at 60 thousand, was 14 percent below 1998. The final yield, at 71 bushels per acre, was 15 bushels above the previous year.

RYE PRODUCTION DOWN 39 PERCENT

Illinois farmers seeded 40 thousand acres of rye for 1999, down from the 50 thousand acres seeded in 1998. Most of the rye grown in Illinois is for a cover crop or for pasture. Farmers harvested 7,000 acres for grain in 1999, compared to 9,000 in 1998. The rye yield in Illinois averaged 29 bushels per acre, eight bushels below the previous year. Production, at 203 thousand bushels, was down 39 percent from 1998.

HAY PRODUCTION DOWN

Production of all hay was 2.7 million tons, 19 percent less than was produced in 1998. Alfalfa hay production was down 21 percent to 2.0 million tons while all other hay was down 16 percent to 735 thousand tons. Yields were down for both, with alfalfa dropping from 4.2 to 4.0 tons per acre and all other from 2.5 to 2.1 tons per acre. Alfalfa acreage cut for hay was 500 thousand in 1999, down from 600 thousand in 1998. Acreage of all other hay cut was 350 thousand, the same as in 1998.

POTATO

Illinois potato producers harvested 4,700 acres in 1999, down 200 acres from 1998. Production, at 1.6 million cwt., was 16 percent above the production of 1.4 million cwt. in 1998. The 1999 potato yield of 350 cwt. per acre was up 21 percent from a year ago and eight percent above the previous record of 325 cwt. set in 1997.

SWEET CORN FOR PROCESSING

Vegetable release delayed until January 28, 2000.

FRESH MARKET SWEET CORN

Vegetable release delayed until January 28, 2000.

SNAP BEANS FOR PROCESSING

Vegetable release delayed until January 28, 2000.

CABBAGE FOR FRESH MARKET

Vegetable release delayed until January 28, 2000.

APPLE PRODUCTION

Illinois apple growers produced 54 million pounds during 1999. This was 54 percent above the spring-damaged crop of 1998.

PEACH PRODUCTION

Illinois peach production during 1999 totaled 17.0 million pounds. Production was 26 percent above the 1998 level of 13.5 million pounds.

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