ILLINOIS
FARM REPORT

CORN PRODUCTION UP 12 PERCENT

The 2000 final corn for grain yield estimate was 151 bushels per acre, 11 bushels above the 1999 yield and five bushels below the 1994 record yield of 156 bushels per acre. Production totaled 1.67 billion bushels, 12 percent above the 1999 production of 1.49 billion bushels and the second highest production on record behind the 1994 level of 1.79 billion bushels. Of the 11.2 million acres planted to corn, 11.05 million acres were harvested for grain. This was 400 thousand acres more than the acres harvested in 1999. Planting was rapid during April with 58 percent of the crop planted by April 30. Cooperative weather the next threeweeks allowed farmers to nearly complete planting. Timely rains and average temperatures during June and July allowed the crop to mature well ahead of normal. Harvest was slow during September and October due to frequent rain showers, however ideal weather in late October allowed farmers to wrap up harvest by mid-November.

SOYBEAN PRODUCTION SECOND HIGHEST

The final yield for the 2000 soybean crop was 44 bushels per acre, two bushels above the 1999 yield. Production totaled 459.8 million bushels, the second highest production on record and four percent above the 443.1 million bushels produced in 1999. Planted and harvested acreage, at 10.5 million and 10.45 million, respectively, were both second to the record acreage planted and harvested in 1998 and 1999. Because of dry and mild weather conditions, planting of the 2000 crop got off to a great start in April and was nearly complete by the end of May. With above normal precipitation in June and an unseasonably cool month of July, the soybean crop developed very well through the early season. But the effects of some late August heat, Sudden Death Syndrome and storm damage were evident as the crop matured and the harvest season began. Harvest was slowed by some early October precipitation, but continued on a normal pace after warm temperatures the rest of the month, and was nearly complete by October 31.

WHEAT PRODUCTION DOWN 13 PERCENT

The final yield estimate for the 2000 winter wheat crop is 57 bushels per acre, three bushels below last year's yield of 60, and four bushels below the record yield set in 1997. Acreage seeded in the fall of 1999 was 950 thousand acres, down ten percent from the 1.05 million acres seeded in 1998. Farmers harvested 920 thousand acres for grain this year resulting in total production of 52.4 million bushels. This was a 13 percent decrease from the 1999 production of 60.6 million bushels. The development of the crop was rapid with minimal disease problems this year due to mild temperatures and adequate moisture during the spring. By July 16, 95 percent of the crop had been harvested, compared to 97 percent at this time in 1999 and the average of 92 percent.

SORGHUM ACREAGE LOWEST SINCE 1988

The final 2000 yield for sorghum for grain was 95 bushels per acre, equal to last year's yield. Production at 8.075 million bushels, is 12 percent below last year's production of 9.215 million bushels. Total planted and harvested acres for grain was 90 and 85 thousand acres respectively. Thisacreage was the lowest since 1988 when planted was the same at 90 thousand acres and harvested was 80 thousand acres.

The final oats estimate for 2000 placed the production at 4.02 million bushels, six percent below the 1999 production. Acreage harvested for grain, at 55 thousand, was eight percent below 1999. The final yield, at 73 bushels per acre, was two bushels above the previous year.

ALFALFA HAY PRODUCTION DOWN

Production of all hay in 2000 was 2.67 million tons, two percent less than was produced in 1999. Alfalfa hay production was down five percent to 1.9 million tons whereas all other hay production increased five percent to 770 thousand tons. Alfalfa hay yield dropped from 4.0 to 3.8 tons per acre, while all other hay yield increased from 2.1 to 2.2 tons per acre. Acreage remained unchanged from 1999 for both alfalfa, at 500 thousand acres, and all other hay, at 350 thousand acres.

POTATO

Illinois potato producers harvested 5,300 acres in 2000, up 600 acres from 1999. Production, at 1.9 million cwt., was 13 percent above the production of 1.6 million cwt. in 1999. The 2000 potato yield of 350 cwt. per acre was unchanged from last year's record setting yield.

SWEET CORN FOR PROCESSING

Sweet corn for processing harvested acres increased 800 acres from last year while production, at 99.7 thousand tons, was up three percent from 1999.

FRESH MARKET SWEET CORN

Fresh market sweet corn acreage was down 1,300 acres, but with a yield of 95 cwt. per acre, production remained relatively unchanged from 1999.

SNAP BEANS FOR PROCESSING

Snap bean growers produced 46.3 thousand tons, down seven percent from a year ago. Planted acres was up ten percent from 1999.

CABBAGE FOR FRESH MARKET

Harvested acres remained unchanged from last year, while production increased to 175,000 cwt. This was an increase of 35 percent over last year.

PUMPKIN PRODUCTION

Illinois pumpkin growers harvested 8,900 acres for fresh market and processing. Illinois represents 59 percent of the production of pumpkins in the United States. Production was 3,636,000 cwt. This is the first published estimate for pumpkins.

APPLE PRODUCTION

Illinois apple growers utilized 36.6 million pounds produced in 2000. This was 14 percent below the 1999 crop.

PEACH PRODUCTION

Illinois utilized peach production during 2000 totaled 20.0 million pounds. Production was 18 percent above the 1999 level of 17.0 million pounds.

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