Illinois farmers are off to a promising start for the 2023 planting season, as they make significant strides in sowing their crops ahead of schedule. Despite sporadic rainfall patterns across the state, the majority of respondents in a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture survey reported adequate moisture levels, with 33% indicating a surplus.
While the dust storm incident south of Springfield drew attention to soil conditions earlier this month, farmers are demonstrating their resilience by adopting sustainable practices. According to a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, efforts to combat erosion have become increasingly crucial, given that U.S. croplands lose twice as much soil annually as during the Dust Bowl era.
Illinois State Statistician Mark Schleusener highlighted the progress made in corn planting, with 84% of the crop already in the ground—a remarkable 35 points ahead of last year and 21 points ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean planting is also well underway, with 77% of beans planted, a significant improvement compared to the same period in 2022 when only 45% had been sown.
Additionally, winter wheat has shown strong development, reaching 74%, surpassing the 5-year average of 56%. Farmers reported that 30% of the wheat was rated fair, 51% good, and 11% excellent.
Illinois' impressive agricultural performance is further evident in the national rankings. The state claimed the top five counties in the country for corn production, led by McLean County, which produced nearly 71 million bushels of corn last year. In soybean production, McLean County also secured the top spot, with Iroquois, Champaign, Livingston, and LaSalle counties ranking among the top ten nationally.
As the planting season progresses, Illinois farmers remain dedicated to sustaining their track record of agricultural excellence, contributing to the state's robust crop production and supporting the nation's food supply.
Photo Credit: leightrail
Categories: Illinois, Crops