Crop Production Summary

While President Donald Trump’s trade war with China cut into profits for American farmers, all in all production wise, 2018 was a record year for farmers, including Illinois farmers who broke production records for both corn and soybeans.

Illinois corn yield was estimated at 210 bushels per acre, up nine bushels from 2017. Production was estimated at 2.28 billion bushels, up four percent from the year before. This was a record high yield and the third highest production year on record.

Corn planted acreage was down about two percent at 11 million acres, with 10.85 acres harvested.

Close to 11 million acres of soybeans were also planted with 10.75 million acres harvested, up two percent from 2017.

Soybean yields were 65 bushels, a record high yield, up seven bushels from 2017. Production in 2018 was estimated at 699 million bushels up 14 percent from the previous year.

Sorghum yields for the state were 111 bushels per acre, up 28 bushels from last year