Peoria, Illinois Area Farmers

Believe it or not, as a young lad of 11.12 and 13 years old... - was one of the ALL TIME greats at delivering the Peoria Journal Star paper.  Began with 1 simple route and expanded to two routes.  7 days per week at roughly 4:30 AM.  On my bike, no matter the weather.  A young college of mine on the wrestling team would often sing our self-made songs while training for upcoming matches - we wrote the lyrics ourselves...the tagline was, "farmers of east peoia illinois"

Years went by and, needless to say, when arriving back to the farmlands of the  Peoria, Illinois area - the farm community of Illinois saw 'THE BEST CORN CROP YEILD OF ALL TIME!!!"  

And above trend, or something with soybeans...

Illinois is a major agricultural state, and its crop yields are significantly influenced by weather patterns, technological advancements, and farming practices. Here's a look at year-over-year trends for key crops, primarily corn, soybeans, and winter wheat, based on data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and University of Illinois Extension's farm stats - Peoria, Illinois Farmer teams insights, trends and AG research, noted:

Overall Trends:

• Long-term Increase: Illinois corn and soybean yields have shown a consistent upward trend over the long term. Corn yields have increased by approximately 2.53 bushels per acre per year, while soybean yields have increased by about 0.72 bushels per acre per year since 1990.

• Exceptional Recent Performance (Post-2012 Drought): Since the major drought of 2012, Illinois has experienced a remarkable run of excellent corn and soybean yields, often exceeding trendline projections. This suggests favorable weather conditions and/or improved farming practices have played a significant role.

Specific Crop Yields (Bushels per Acre):

Here's a summary of recent Illinois crop yields:

Corn:

• 2024 (Estimated/Forecasted):

  • January 2025 Summary: 217 bushels per acre (up 11 bushels from 2023)

  • October 2024 Forecast: 222 bushels per acre (projected record high)

• 2023: 206 bushels per acre (down 8 bushels from 2022)

• 2022: 214 bushels per acre (record high at the time)

• 2020: 192 bushels per acre

• 2019: 182 bushels per acre (below trend due to a very wet spring and late planting)

• 2018: 210 bushels per acre

Soybeans:

• 2024 (Estimated/Forecasted):

  • January 2025 Summary: 64 bushels per acre (up 1 bushel from 2023)

  • October 2024 Forecast: 67 bushels per acre (projected new record high)

• 2023: 63 bushels per acre (same as 2022)

• 2022: 63 bushels per acre

• 2020: 60 bushels per acre (second highest on record at the time)

• 2019: 54 bushels per acre (below trend due to late planting)

• 2018: 63.5 bushels per acre (record high at the time)

Winter Wheat:

• 2024 (Estimated/Forecasted): 86 bushels per acre (down 1 bushel from 2023)

• 2023: 87 bushels per acre (record high, up 8 bushels from 2022)

• 2022: 79 bushels per acre

• 2021: 79 bushels per acre (record high at the time, well above 2020's 68 bushels)

• 2020: 68 bushels per acre

Key Factors Influencing Yields:

• Weather Conditions: Rainfall, temperature, and timing of weather events throughout the growing season are critical. For example, dry conditions in September 2024 likely contributed to a downward revision of soybean yields from earlier forecasts.

• Technology: Continuous improvements in genetics (hybrid traits), crop protection tools, and farming practices (e.g., planting dates, nutrient management) contribute to the long-term upward trend in yields.

• Planting and Harvest Dates: Early planting, when conditions are favorable, can lead to higher yields, especially for soybeans. Conversely, delayed planting due to wet springs (like in 2019) can negatively impact yields.

• Disease and Pests: While not always highlighted in aggregate yield reports, outbreaks of diseases or pests can impact local or regional yields.

It's important to note that final yield numbers are often released in January of the following year, so 2024 data is currently based on estimates and forecasts, with the final summary typically available early in 2025.