SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) -- Midwestern farmers are hoping to rebound from floods and a late start to planting, according to the USDA's August Crop Production Report.
Illinois corn production is forecast at just over 2 billion bushels, down 11 percent from last year. That's 172 bushels per acre, down three bushels from last year.
Soybeans are projected to reach 376 million bushels, 7 percent above last year. That's 42 bushels per acre, down one bushel from last year.
Nationally, corn is forecast at 12.3 billion bushels, down 6 percent from last year. That's 155 bushels per acre, up four bushels. Soybean production is expected up 15 percent to almost 3 billion bushels, or 40 bushels per acre.
Illinois' acting agriculture director, Tom Jennings, says while parts of Northwest and Southeast Illinois suffered from the floods, the state as a whole "dodged a bullet." Jennings says his own corn crop went into the ground June 16, the latest ever for him.
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