ILLINOIS
FARM REPORT

SEPTEMBER CROP REPORT

The Illinois corn for grain yield remains at a record 158 bushels per acre, unchanged from the August 1 estimate. This is 18 bushels above the 1999 yield and two bushels above the previous record yield of 156 in 1994. Total production would be 1.75 billion bushels, 17 percent above the production of 1999. The crop continued to progress toward maturity ahead of normal and last year. By September 3, the crop was 83 percent dented and 32 percent mature. These compare to 79 percent dented and 25 percent mature last year and the five-year averages of 63 and 11 percent respectively. Limited harvesting began around the first of September and had reached one percent by September 3.

The forecasted yield for soybeans is 47 bushels per acre, down one bushel from the August 1 estimate, but still 1.5 bushel above the 1994 record. Production is expected to total a record 481.75 million bushels, nine percent above last year and four percent more than the previous record production of 1998. Temperatures were near normal for the first half of the month across Illinois, but August ended with a week of heat. Scattered showers the first two weeks, coupled with the normal temperatures, made for good growing conditions, though a few heavy storms that passed through by the end of the month did cause some scattered damage from winds, hail and flooding. There were some very wet areas in the south and some areas in the East and Central Districts that have suffered from a lack of moisture. Only a few pest and disease problems have been reported, but Sudden Death Syndrome has been a growing concern since mid-August. By September 3, 37 percent of the soybeans were turning yellow, compared to 24 percent last year and the five-year average of 14 percent, and 12 percent were shedding leaves.

CROPS ACREAGE & PRODUCTION, 1999-2000
Crop (Acres for harvest)	Illinois		United States
	1999	2000	1999	2000
	Acreage and production in thousands
Corn, Grain
Acres	10,650	11,050	70,537	73,059
Yield, bu.	140.0	158.0	133.8	141.8
Production	1,491,000	1,745,900	9,437,337	10,362,374
Soybeans
Acres	10,550	10,250	72,476	73,474
Yield, bu.	42.0	47.0	36.5	39.5
Production	443,100	481,750	2,642,908	2,899,571
Winter Wheat, Grain
Acres	1,010	910	35,572	35,401
Yield, bu.	60.0	57.0	47.8	45.0
Production	60,600	51,870	1,699,989	1,594,321
Oats, Grain
Acres 1/	60	60	2,453	2,452
Yield, bu.	71.0	70.0	59.6	62.3
Production	4,260	4,200	146,218	152,745
Sorghum, Grain
Acres	97	85	8,544	8,315
Yield, cwt.	95.0	104.0	69.7	62.1
Production	9,215	8,840	595,166	516,028
Alfalfa Hay
Acres	500	530	23,985	23,767
Yield, tons	4.00	4.20	3.50	3.32
Production	2,000	2,226	83,924	78,796
All Other Hay
Acres	350	350	39,175	38,424
Yield, tons	2.10	2.40	1.92	1.94
Production	735	840	75,153	74,459
Potatoes, Summer
Acres	4.7	5.3	64.0	62.3
Yield, cwt.	350	340	296	297
Production	1,645	1,802	18,972	18,504
Apples
Mil. lbs.	58.5	72.0	10,579.6	10,677.1
Peaches
Mil. lbs.	19.0	19.0	2,525.4	2,677.1
Snap Beans 1/
Acres	14,000	14,100	203,350	201,080
Yield, tons	3.49	3.30	3.67	3.83
Production	49,520	46,530	752,790	770,210
Sweet Corn 1/
Acres	15,900	18,200	466,500	455,700
Yield, tons	6.00	6.30	7.06	7.23
Production	95,400	114,660	3,295,930	3,292,920
1/ Contract for processing only.

U.S. CROP PRODUCTION

Corn production is forecast at 10.4 billion bushels, unchanged from the last forecast, but up ten percent from 1999. Based on September 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 141.8 bushels per acre, down 0.1 bushel per acre from August, but up 8.0 bushels from a year ago. If realized, this would be the largest production and yield on record. Acreage for grain harvest is estimated at 73.1 million acres, unchanged from August.

Soybean production is forecast at a record high 2.90 billion bushels, down three percent from August 1, but ten percent above 1999. Based on September 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 39.5 bushels per acre, down 1.2 bushels from last month, but 3.0 bushels above 1999. Acreage for harvest is estimated at a record 73.5 million acres, unchanged from last month, and up one percent from 1999.

ILLINOIS DISTRICT ESTIMATES

CORN, 1999-2000
District	Acres planted		Acres for grain		Yield		Production
	1999	2000	1999	2000	1999	2000	1999	2000
	1,000 acres		1,000 acres		Bushels		1,000 bushels
Northwest	1,720	1,700	1,679	1,663	149	161	250,170.5	267,743
Northeast	1,060	1,150	1.043	1,123	142	161	148,105.8	180,803
West	1,040	1,130	1,028	1,114	146	164	150,090.0	182,696
Central	1,500	1,520	1,491	1,509	158	166	235,575.6	250,494
East	1,530	1,560	1,522	1,547	153	153	232,865.0	236,691
West Southwest	1,440	1,510	1,424	1,499	132	173	187,968.0	259,327
East Southeast	1,450	1,490	1,429	1,478	122	151	174,338.0	223,178
Southwest	490	530	470	513	106	127	49,819.2	65,151
Southeast	570	610	564	604	110	132	62,067.9	79,817
ILLINOIS	10,800	11,200	10,650	11,050	140	158	1,491,000.0	1,745,900

SOYBEANS, 1999-2000
District	Acres planted		Acres for harvest		Yield		Production
	1999	2000	1999	2000	1999	2000	1999	2000
	1,000 acres		1,000 acres		Bushels		1,000 bushels
Northwest	1,150	1,160	1,144	1,155	48	52	54,910.2	60,060
Northeast	940	880	935	875	45	51	42,074.9	44,625
West	980	940	975	936	44	49	42,900.2	45,864
Central	1,400	1,380	1,394	1,375	49	51	68,309.3	70,125
East	1,490	1,440	1,484	1,434	47	46	69,747.1	65,964
West Southwest	1,420	1,430	1,413	1,423	40	50	56,521.7	71,150
East Southeast	1,650	1,580	1,643	1,571	38	43	62,433.7	67,553
Southwest	820	770	816	765	31	41	25,296.6	31,365
Southeast	750	720	746	716	28	35	20,906.3	25,044
ILLINOIS	10,600	10,300	10,550	10,250	42	47	443,100.0	481,750

Milk production in Illinois totaled 172 million pounds in July 2000, up eight percent from last year. The number of milk cows on farms totaled 120,000 head, down 2,000 head from July of last year. Milk per cow averaged 1,430 pounds, up 120 pounds from a year ago.

Milk production during July in the 20 States totaled 12.2 billion pounds, up five percent from production in these same states for July 1999. Production per cow in the 20 States averaged 1,557 pounds during July, 59 pounds above July 1999. The number of milk cows on farms in the 20 States was 7.83 million head in July, 80,000 head more than July 1999.

MILK PRODUCTION: ILLINOIS & 20 STATES, JULY 1999-2000
		July
		Illinois			United States
		1999	2000	2000 as % of 1999	1999	2000	2000 as % of 1999
Milk Production:
Number of milk cows	Head (000)	122	120	98	7,751	7,834	101
Milk production per cow	Lbs.	1,310	1,430	109	1,498	1,557	104
Total milk production	Mil. lbs.	160	172	108	11,610	12,195	105

AGRICULTURAL PRICES

August prices received by Illinois farmers for all commodities decreased to 68 percent of the base. This is three points less than the revised July figure and three points less than August 1999. The current year's base is computed by multiplying the average production for the five-year period by the average price for each year. These five years are summed and then divided by five to arrive at an average (base) for the period. The current five-year average production is then multiplied by the current price and divided by the average for the five years to arrive at the current index. The August all crops index, at 61 percent of the base, is two points below the revised number for last month, and is five points less than August 1999. Prices decreased for corn, soybeans and oats. The all livestock index is at 92 percent of the base, eight points lower than the revised July figure. The price of hogs and beef cattle decreased. The hog-corn ratio is at 27.1.

The preliminary U.S. All Farm Products Index of Prices Received in August was 97 based on 1990-92=100, down one point from the July index. Lower prices for broilers, cattle, hogs and corn more than offset price increases for eggs, tomatoes, sweet corn and grapes. The seasonal change in the mix of commodities farmers sell often affects the overall index; however, these changes were essentially offsetting in August. Compared with August 1999, the All Farm Products Index was two points lower. Price decreases from August 1999 for milk, corn, broilers and oranges more than offset price increases for hogs, cattle, sweet corn and calves.

INDEX OF PRICES RECEIVED BY FARMERS
Commodity	July 1999	Aug. 1999	July 2000		Aug. 15, 2000
ILLINOIS	1993-97=100		1994-98=100
All Farm Products	67	71	71*		68
All Crops	62	66	63*		61
Food grains	58	59	59*		60
Feed grains/hay	63	65	58*		54
Soybeans	62	67	69*		69
All Livestock	79	85	100*		92
Meat animals	75	81	102*		93
Dairy products	102	104	89*		83
UNITED STATES	1990-92=100
Prices Received	95	99	98*		97
All Crops	95	100	96*		97
Food grains	78	87	78*		78
Feed grains/hay	84	85	82*		77
Oilseeds	75	78	81*		78
All Livestock	95	98	100*		97
Meat animals	81	85	96*		92
Dairy products	106	116	97*		96
Prices Paid	115	115	120*		119
Parity Ratio 1/	83	86	82*		82
1/ Prices received index divided by prices paid index. * Revised.

PRICES RECEIVED BY FARMERS 1/
Commodity	Unit	Illinois					United States
		July 1999	Aug. 1999	July 2000		Aug. 15, 2000	July 1999	Aug. 1999	July 2000		Aug. 15, 2000
		Dollars
Corn	Bushels	1.79	1.84	1.66*		1.50	1.74	1.75	1.64*		1.48
Soybeans	Bushels	4.25	4.50	4.65*		4.50	4.19	4.39	4.53*		4.38
Sorghum	Cwt.	2.87	3.00	2.51*		2.55	2.83	2.85	2.81*		2.59
Wheat, all	Bushels	1.91	2.03	1.93*		2.00	2.23	2.53	2.32*		2.30
Oats	Bushels	1.29	1.28	1.33*		1.30	1.08	0.97	1.07*		1.02
Hay, all baled	Tons	78.00	77.00	80.00		82.00	78.40	78.90	80.20*		80.50
Alfalfa hay, bld	Tons	83.00	82.00	85.00		87.00	82.00	84.90	84.50*		83.90
Other hay, bld	Tons	60.00	58.00	59.00		62.00	65.30	62.60	66.60*		68.50
Hogs, all	Cwt.	29.70	34.70	46.20*		40.60	31.60	36.20	48.50*		44.40
Barrows, Gilts	Cwt.	30.60	35.70	47.20*		41.20	32.20	36.90	49.30*		45.00
Sows	Cwt.	19.40	23.10	34.50*		34.00	20.50	23.00	34.70*		34.20
Beef cattle	Cwt.	61.90	62.80	65.80*		63.60	62.60	63.50	67.50*		65.10
Cows	Cwt.	38.20	36.70	39.20*		38.70	37.70	36.30	39.20*		38.60
Steers, Heifers	Cwt.	62.40	63.30	66.30*		64.10	65.20	66.20	70.40*		67.70
Calves	Cwt.	106.00	107.00	117.00*		119.00	89.20	89.60	106.00*		105.00
Milk cows	Head	2/	1,250.00	2/		1,290.00	2/	1,280.00	2/		1,350.00
Milk, all	Cwt.	13.60	14.60	11.50*		11.20	13.80	15.10	12.70*		12.50
Milk, fluid	Cwt.	13.60	14.50	11.50		3/	13.90	15.00	12.70*		12.50
Milk, mfg.	Cwt.	14.10	16.50	11.40		3/	13.40	15.30	10.70*		10.60
Hog-corn ratio		16.6	18.9	27.8*		27.1	18.2	20.7	29.6*		30.0
1/ Prices received represents the average of all grades or classes at point of first sale and should not be confused with market quotations. 2/ Estimated in January, April, July and October. 3/ State prices not published. * Revised.

HIRED WORKERS: NUMBER & HOURS WORKED, BY REGIONS, JULY 9-15, 2000 1/
REGION 2/	Hired
	Number of workers	Expected to be employed		Number of hours worked
		150 day or more	149 days or less
	Thousands
LAKE	73	50	23	40.0
CORNBELT I	69	43	26	33.6
CORNBELT II	30	20	10	34.7
U.S.	1,079	722	357	40.2

HIRED WORKERS: WAGE RATES FOR TYPE OF WORKERS & ALL HIRED WORKERS, BY REGIONS, JULY 9-15, 2000 1/
REGION 2/	Type of worker			Wage rates for all hired workers
	Field	Livestock	Field & livestock combined
	Dollars per hour
LAKE	7.98	7.83	7.92	8.45
CORNBELT I	7.79	8.33	7.87	8.23
CORNBELT II	7.62	8.63	8.00	8.39
U.S.	7.32	7.65	7.39	7.89
1/ Excludes agricultural service workers. 2/ Regions consist of the following: LAKE: MI, MN, WI; CORNBELT I: IL, IN, OH; CORNBELT II: IA, MO; UNITED STATES: Excludes Alaska.

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