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Northern Illinois saw record yields in 2024

A pair of northern Illinois seed representatives say many farmers saw record yields in 2024.

Jake Anderson covers the northern third of the state as a sales agronomist for Stine Seeds.

“We had some of the best corn yields we’ve ever seen.”  He says, “Soybean yields were acceptable to great, but kind of hit and miss depending on where you were. I think we had kind of a dry finish in areas where the beans didn’t finish out quite as well.”

Josh Morgan, a district sales manager with LG Seeds in northeast Illinois, tells Brownfield he saw similar results.

“Corn was really good.”  He says, “Soybeans are good as well, and that’s where, in my opinion, rain affected it a little more. I saw some bigger 10-to-15-bushel swings depending on August rainfalls really.”

Anderson says early planted soybeans were the big winners.

“I think I’m a proponent of that.”  He says, “If you can start on soybeans and then wait until it gets fit for your corn, it seems like a good way to go.”

Both say their customers are focused on profitability and protecting against tar spot as they plan for 2025.

Brownfield spoke with both at the 2024 Greater Peoria Area Farm Show in Peoria, Illinois.

AUDIO: Josh Morgan – LG Seeds