News

Some Illinois farmers optimistic about double crop soybeans’ potential

A timely wheat harvest has some Illinois farmers optimistic about their double crop soybeans.

Thomas Perkins, who farms in Effingham County, tells Brownfield, “We’ve got them planted, so they look good. Good emergence going on. It was a little wet going in, but like I said, we just kind of rolled the dice and that actually went well for us.”

However, Tracy Heuerman, who serves as president of the Illinois Wheat Association, says some growers haven’t been as fortunate.

“We did hit some rainy stretches that hindered harvest and double crop planting.”  She says, “I do know there are still double crops that are not planted, and there is some discussion about prevent planting on some of those double crop acres.”

Perkins says despite the challenges, the opportunity to grow two crops in one season is hard to pass up.

“If you can get 50 bushel an acre bean following up, it’s a slam dunk.”  He says, “Used to, we always figured, you know, you had 80 to 85 bushel wheat followed by, you know, 50 to 60 bushel an acre beans, and it was profitable.”

Perkins says this year’s wheat yields were well above average, so he’s optimistic that trend line or better soybean yields could help his operation’s profitability picture.

AUDIO: Thomas Perkins – Illinois farmer