Illinois wheat harvest looks good despite storms
(The Center Square) – Most Illinois wheat escaped damage from severe storms across the state, but recent rainfall could affect crops not already harvested.
Tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, wind, hail and flooding all impacted many parts of Illinois in recent weeks.
Illinois Wheat Association President Tracy Heuerman said the wheat harvest is about done in the southern third of the state, but it is just getting started farther north.
“I haven’t seen a lot of wheat that has gone down personally, so that’s very positive. Once it goes down, it’s really difficult to harvest,” Heuerman told The Center Square.
Heuerman said wind was not a huge factor outside of areas hit by tornadoes, but rain could delay the harvest in central Illinois.
“Not getting that wheat harvested timely can affect the quality of it, the test weight of it. It can lead to sprouting in the head and really just poor wheat overall,” Heuerman said.
According to the IWA, more than 80% of the state’s wheat production comes from the southern half of Illinois.
“Yields were good, test weights, quality, everything was really phenomenal in the southern, I’m going to say, like a third of the state,” Heuerman said.
The IWA president said the recent storms should not have much of an impact on wheat from areas south of around Route 50.
“They’ve pretty well finished up, and they’ve been able to get all of their double-crop soybeans in the ground for the most part. They’re in a great spot down there,” Heuerman said.
Illinois is the top soybean producing state in the country, according to the Illinois Farm Bureau. Wheat is the state’s third-leading crop after soybeans and corn.
According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, marketing of the state’s agricultural products generate more than $51.1 billion annually, with crops accounting for 40% of that total.
The Farm Bureau says crop land makes up 76% of Illinois.
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Will County Board Approves Tax Abatement Intent for “Project North Winds” Manufacturing Facility
Lincoln-Way West Softball Capitalizes on Errors to Shut Out Lincoln-Way Central 11-0
Illinois lawmaker warns medical records bill could delay care
‘Farm Bill’ may ease cost burden for farmers; Ag groups urge US Senate action
Indiana voters to decide compeititive congressional primary races Tuesday
U.S. debt tops 100% of GDP, ‘deeply troubling’ for economy, national security
Manhattan Renews Cash Rent Farmland Leases on Village-Owned Properties
U.S. troops in Italy, Spain hang in balance as troop reduction in Germany announced
Federal appeals court halts access to mail-order abortion drug
Labor unions back McCormick’s plan to reform federal permitting
Court-ordered tariff refunds bypass consumers who paid
Lincoln-Way West Outlasts Bradley-Bourbonnais in 10-9 Slugfest
