Muggy weather in Illinois could yield bountiful harvest

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - Crop experts say the recent heat and humidity that has hit Illinois is ideal for the state's soybean and corn crops.

Nikki Keltner is a program coordinator for the University of Illinois Extension, which covers Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago counties. She said early ear counts indicate above-average corn production in the area unless there is severe weather or other issues.

"We look to be in great shape," she said. "A lot can happen between now and harvest."

Premier Cooperative recently completed a survey of local cornfields in Champaign County as well as parts of Vermilion, Piatt and Douglas counties. Scouts estimated an annual yield of 224 bushels per acre, which would top 2014's record year, when the count was 221.

Rockford Township farmer Brent Pollard said his soybean crop is one of the best-looking he has ever had on his land.

"The crops, especially the corn, really like that warm, moist weather," said Pollard, who also serves on the Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Board of Directors. "It's been a pretty good growing year for corn."

However, inconsistent weather at the beginning of the season left some farmers worried that crops would peter out from the lack of moisture as they did in 2015.

"It's been a little bit of a roller coaster," said Jeff Heinsohn, a Kirkland-based farmer who also owns land in Rockford and Harvard.

Although Pollard expects a good production year, he said he will probably generate less revenue than in 2015.

"Based on the market and the growing conditions, we're probably going to grow more bushels of corn and soy this year and still have less revenue than last year," Pollard said. "The price is going to go down (because) we have so much of one crop."

Premier CEO Roger Miller said the target date to start this season's harvest is Sept. 15.