Published on September 9, 2026 7:10 am
Last Updated on September 9, 2026 7:10 am
by Rhiannon Branch FarmWeek
In its first corn harvest estimate of the season, USDA pegged progress in Illinois at 3% complete as of Sept. 6, compared to 2% a year ago and the five-year average of 1%.
“We started shelling corn Monday, Aug. 31 and cut some soybeans Wednesday, Sept. 2.,” FarmWeek CropWatcher Ken Taake in Pulaski County reported. “Corn moisture averaged about 20% with yield above average. With temperatures in the upper 90s and no rain in the forecast, crop maturity should progress rapidly.”
The department estimates 29% of the state’s corn crop is mature and 24% of soybeans are dropping leaves, both slightly ahead of the average pace.
The dry spell to start September has been helpful for combines, but later planted crops are beginning to show stress from lack of moisture and high heat in some areas.
Randolph County CropWatcher Stephanie Liefer reported the best corn yields she has ever had but said, “The high temps with low humidity are taking their toll on double crop soybeans. We are ready to plant canola, but the ground is so dry that germination isn’t likely.”
USDA rated Illinois corn 13% excellent, 42% good, 32% fair, 9% poor and 4% very poor with soybeans considered 13% excellent, 44% good, 31% fair, 7% poor and 5% very poor.
The national good-to-excellent rating for soybeans was unchanged from last week at 58% while the U.S. corn crop rating fell one percentage point to 56%.
