Published on September 29, 2026 7:15 am
Last Updated on September 29, 2026 7:15 am
Harvest progress in Illinois remains ahead of average pace, despite a slower start for farmers in the northern portion of the state.
In its latest crop progress and condition report released Sept. 28, USDA estimated Illinois corn harvest had reached 26% complete, ahead of last year (20%) and the five-year average (17%). Soybeans were 21% harvested compared to 19% last year and 14% on average.
“I did finally see two combines trying to harvest yesterday, but that was the first that I’ve seen in the field so far,” FarmWeek CropWatcher Ryan Frieders in DeKalb County told Collin Schopp with the RFD Radio Network.
Five inches of rainfall last week and up to 3 more inches in the forecast this week are keeping fields and crops very wet in his area.
“There are some soybean fields that look like they’re very close, if not ready,” Frieders said. “We’re just waiting for good conditions here in northern Illinois.”
Nationally, 18% of corn and 17% of soybeans are in the bin.
USDA rated Illinois corn conditions 15% excellent, 45% good, 28% fair, 8% poor and 4% very poor, with soybeans considered 14% excellent, 46% good, 29% fair, 7% poor and 4% very poor.
Meanwhile, winter wheat planting is a bit behind to start the season. USDA estimates 6% has been planted in Illinois compared to 11% at the same time last year and 8% on average. Emergence was unchanged from last week at 1%. Nationally, 27% is planted compared to the average 34%.
