Big Wheat Yields in Illinois

BY DAN GRANT 

The Illinois Wheat Association (IWA) started a state yield contest in recent years to encourage farmers to look for ways to boost output.

The strategy certainly has been effective so far, based on the results of this year’s contest.

All top entries in both categories, divided between northern and southern Illinois, surpassed 100 bushels per acre, ranging from 108.9 to Mark Krausz’s winning entry of 130.6 bushels per acre.

IWA announced the contest results at its annual Wheat Summer Forum in Okawville (Washington County, the largest wheat producing county in the state).

“This contest has been a lot of fun, taking what your dad had for a high wheat yield and almost doubling it,” said Krausz of Clinton County, who also won last year’s contest. “It’s getting to the point I’m almost disappointed if we don’t get 100 bushels or more.”

Dale Wehmeyer, St. Clair County, placed second in this year’s contest with 126.9 bushels per acre, followed by Matt Krausz, Mark’s son, with 125.6 bushels per acre; and Danny Rubin, Fayette County (113.1 bushels).

Grant LaForge of Logan County won the northern division of the Wheat Yield Contest with 120.17 bushels per acre. Patricia Justison, Montgomery County, claimed second and third place in the northern division with yield averages of 111.5 and 108.9 bushels, respectively.

Krausz said a key to his success growing large wheat crops centers on management.

“We pay attention to every detail,” he said. “We’re out in those wheat fields weekly.

“We try to plant early in a perfect seedbed and we follow the crop through with everything it needs,” he continued. “We made six trips across this year.”

Krausz’ wheat crop dealt with an early outbreak of stripe rust and an early frost.

He applied a preventive fungicide for the stripe rust and applied nitrogen to give the crop a boost after the frost.

“We had an excellent harvest season, which topped it all out,” Krausz added.

Illinois wheat growers this year harvested a statewide average of 74 bushels per acre, which tied last year’s record.