By Andi Anderson
Illinois field crop producers have adjusted their planting strategies for 2024, with fewer acres of corn and more acres of soybeans compared to 2023, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Corn:
The planted area for corn in Illinois is 10.9 million acres, reflecting a 3 percent decrease from 2023. The harvested area for grain is projected at 10.75 million acres, also down 3 percent from last year.
Soybeans:
Soybean planted area in Illinois has increased by 3 percent, reaching 10.7 million acres. The harvested area is forecasted at 10.65 million acres, up 3 percent from the previous year.
Winter Wheat:
The planted area for winter wheat in 2024 is estimated at 770,000 acres, an 8 percent decrease from the previous year. The area harvested for grain is forecasted at 700,000 acres, down 10 percent from last year.
Hay:
The harvested area of all hay in Illinois is expected to total 480,000 acres, up 17 percent from 2023. This includes 220,000 acres of alfalfa and 260,000 acres of all other hay.
National Overview:
Nationally, the corn planted area for all purposes in 2024 is estimated at 91.5 million acres, a 3 percent decrease or 3.17 million acres less than last year. This marks the eighth highest planted acreage in the United States since 1944.
Planted acreage is down or unchanged in 31 of the 48 estimating states. The area harvested for grain is projected at 83.4 million acres, down 4 percent from last year.
U.S. soybean planted area for 2024 is estimated at 86.1 million acres, a 3 percent increase from last year. Compared to the previous year, planted acreage is up or unchanged in 24 of the 29 estimating states.
The 2024 winter wheat planted area is estimated at 33.8 million acres, down 8 percent from last year and 1 percent from the previous estimate. This total includes about 24.1 million acres of Hard Red Winter, 6.14 million acres of Soft Red Winter, and 3.59 million acres of White Winter.
These changes in crop acreage reflect ongoing adjustments by farmers to market conditions, weather patterns, and other influencing factors, aiming to optimize their production and economic outcomes.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Illinois, Government & Policy