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Illinois wheat is a bright spot

The 2012 Illinois wheat yield came in higher than expected – a bright spot amid the decreasing corn and soybean conditions in the state due to the ongoing drought.

University of Illinois crop sciences professor Emerson Nafziger says the July first yield estimate was raised to 64 bushels per acre, tied for the third-highest yield on record in the state – five bushels higher than the average over the past decade. He says the quality of the wheat has been excellent. Dry weather limits wheat diseases.

However, double cropping of soybeans after the wheat harvest is negatively affected. Because it’s so dry, he says soybeans that have been planted are doing poorly – in some cases not germinating at all.

Nafziger says there may be more wheat planting this fall.