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Northern Illinois farmer says 2025 crop yields strong despite disease pressure

A northern Illinois farmer says it was a good growing season in his area.

Brian Duncan, who farms in Ogle County and currently serves as the Illinois Farm Bureau president, tells Brownfield…

“Disease took the extreme top end off.”  He says, “I think we were all feeling a little better about the yields on August 1st than maybe what we’re harvesting.  It’s still a very, very good crop.  It’ll probably rival last year’s up here, where we did have some August rains.”

He says storage space is at a premium.

“There wasn’t a lot of opportunity to even hedge off at a profit.”  He says, “We did some early sales and they’re OK. I think the bin doors have been securely shut, and I think farmers are waiting for something better.”

Duncan says harvest is complete for most farmers in his area, and many have a good start on fall fertilizer applications and fieldwork.

The USDA’s weekly crop progress reports were halted due to the partial government shutdown.  The next supply and demand report is expected on Friday.

AUDIO: Brian Duncan – Illinois Farm Bureau President