By Andi Anderson
Harvest season in east-central Illinois is underway, but many farmers are facing lower-than-average yields due to extended dry weather. The lack of rainfall throughout August and September has been especially damaging for soybean production.
Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford explained that rainfall levels have been well below normal in recent months. While corn benefited from sufficient rain in July, soybeans suffered in August when the region received very little precipitation.
Ford reported that Champaign County recorded the 12th driest year on record in 2025, and the driest since 1988 for Champaign-Urbana. “Normally we’re about 30 to 32 inches of rainfall this time of the year, and now we’re about 12 inches below average. That’s a foot of rain,” he said.
For farmers, the impact is clear. Custom harvester Kyle Duitsman said soybean yields are down significantly compared to last year.
“Our yields are off in soybeans, probably 10 to 15 bushels from last year,” he said, noting that some farms typically average between 70 and 80 bushels per acre. While scattered rainfall helped some areas avoid severe losses, most farms experienced setbacks due to drought.
Financial pressures are adding to the challenge. Despite reduced yields, crop prices have remained low because of supply and demand, while tariffs pushed fertilizer costs near record highs.
Duitsman noted that crop insurance will help offset some of the financial strain, but many farmers will still face tight margins. “We either need to have prices going up or costs going down or both,” he said.
Drought conditions also raise safety risks in the field. Dry crops combined with heat from farm equipment increase the risk of dust-related fires. Farmers have responded with precautions such as slowing equipment, cleaning machines daily, and removing dust buildup to reduce fire hazards.
As farmers navigate the remainder of harvest season, strategies like crop insurance and fire prevention practices will remain critical to managing both financial and field-level risks.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-neenawat555
Categories: Illinois, Weather