By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Tens of thousands of Illinois farmers are facing challenging conditions, with elevated fire risks due to the recent drought.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal issued a statement this week urging farmers and agricultural workers to prioritize safety during this year’s harvest.

Illinois Soybean Association director of agronomy Abigail Peterson said conditions vary in different parts of the state.

“Across the board it’s been so variable, very challenging, especially in the southern region. And then as it got dry throughout the state through the growing season, that can definitely limit our yield potential,” Peterson told The Center Square.

In recent years, Illinois has led the nation in soybean production. Peterson said she remains hopeful but would not be surprised if yields are average to below average due to recent drought conditions.

“It does affect corn and soybeans, that moisture if you don’t have it, especially during the grain fill, when you come to run your combines across, you’ll see that loss,” Peterson said.

While farmers deal with challenging weather conditions this year, a new agronomy farm south of Bloomington may reap future benefits for growers.

Peterson says the ISA’s new farm between Heyworth and Wapella will help farmers and the state’s agricultural economy.

“We’re very excited to start putting on some demonstrations and having some interaction with farmers and those who want to come visit and learn about soybean production in Illinois, whether that be from a legislation angle or from students, teachers, farmers and all the above,” Peterson said.

Peterson said the farm includes conservation, general production and new agronomic tools farmers can learn from.

“There’s no one right way to grow a bean, and in Illinois, we are very good at growing soybeans. We’re always figuring out ways to advance the system, how to either better the system, look at [return on investment], look at different angles to combat our pest management and things like that,” Peterson explained.

As of 2021, Illinois is the top soybean-producing state with an average yield of 64 bushels per acre, totaling more than 672 million bushels.

The Land of Lincoln is home to more than 43,000 soybean farmers.

Peterson said she is hoping for a safe harvest.