Illinois counties among leaders in corn, soybean production

By Kevin Bessler

Several Illinois counties dominated the national rankings in terms of corn and soybean production last year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its county production totals for 2022. Crop statistician Mark Schleusener said in terms of corn production, one central Illinois county led the nation.

“McLean County ranked first across the entire U.S. with nearly 71 million bushels of corn produced last year,” Schleusener said. “Additionally, Illinois had the top five counties in the country for total corn production.”

Those other counties included Iroquois, Livingston, LaSalle and

Champaign counties. Stark County had the highest yield in Illinois at over 240 bushels per acre, followed by Woodford and Ogle counties.

Iowa led the nation in total corn production in 2022, followed by Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota.

Illinois is home to several counties that ranked in the top ten for soybean production as well. McLean County led the nation, followed by two counties in Mississippi and North Dakota.

“Following those two, the next four highest soybean producing counties were all in Illinois,” said Schleusener. “Iroquois, Champaign, Livingston and LaSalle counties ranked fourth through seventh nationally.”

Illinois led the nation in soybean production last year, followed by Iowa and Minnesota.

Illinois soybean farmers export about 50% of their crop, with China, Mexico and Canada being the top three markets.

Chickens

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They are able to peck around as they please.”

Chickens will eat pretty much anything, Bland said, whether it be plants, bugs, grains.

“Chickens are like nature’s garbage disposal,” Bland said. “Basically any table scraps, carrots, bits of vegetables, chickens love that stuff.”

For those that are looking into getting chicken of their own, Bland said it is important to do the research and know what to do before starting.

Whether it be on the coop, medicine or feed, Bland said it’s important to look at the treatment and care for the chickens before moving forward with getting chickens.

Then there is the ongoing upkeep and protection of the chickens.

“For us, a big thing is predators,” Bland said. “Hawks will swoop down and take one, or coyotes will try to grab one. The worse thing for us is to raise them up and then have them killed.”

Bell said the first thing to look at is the available space and the structure to house the chickens.

“You need a secure structure for the chickens to come in and roost at night,” Bell said. “

To start chickens from the beginning is a lot of work, Bland said. There are very strict necessities for younger birds.

He said for those just starting out, it could be wise for them to purchase other birds.

Though geriatric hens are at the end of their egg producing, he said they will often produce a few a week. He said sometimes he will sell them to people who would like a chicken or two to produce eggs for their own household.

For those starting out, Bell said she recommends following the strict diets and usually purchasing the necessary foods. Once a chicken owner is more experienced, she said they can adapt or create their own foods.

Bell said though the popularity in backyard chickens seems to be on the rise, it isn’t something that is going to make a person a lot of money.

“Raising chickens is a rewarding experience and you learn so much,” Bell said. “You won’t save money with all the reoccurring costs, but it is a great experience and a lot of fun.”