Illinois crop summary for 2012 Production of corn for grain
totaled 1.286 billion bushels in 2012, well below 2011
production of 1.947 billion bushels. The final yield was 105
bushels per acre, 52 bushels below last year. This was the
lowest yield since 1988, when yield stood at 73 bushels per
acre. Drought conditions in 2012 brought about the low yield.
Acres planted in 2012 were up 200,000 from 2011 at 12.8 million,
and 12.25 million acres were harvested for grain. Warm
conditions in 2012 got planting off to an early start, with 5
percent of the crop planted as of March 25. Early planting and
consistent dry conditions contributed to a crop maturing earlier
than usual. Harvest ran well ahead of the usual pace. Low yields
pushed farmers to harvest more of the crop for silage than is
typical. The final yield for the 2012 soybean crop was 43.0
bushels per acre, 4.5 bushels below 2011. This was the lowest
yield since 2003, when yield stood at 37.0 bushels per acre.
Production in 2012 reached 383,560,000 bushels,