A lot of farm families will tell you: Harvest is their favorite time of the entire year. The days are long and so is the work, as the season can stretch from T-shirts to sweatshirts to Carhartts. But when the crops are good and the family’s working together, often with excellent farm employees, it can be a sweet time to bring in the efforts of the past year.
Illinois crops have matured ahead of schedule in general this year, and as of Oct. 1, 95% of the corn was mature, compared to the five-year average of 82%. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 83%, compared to the five-year average of 77%.
Harvest, too, has run ahead of schedule in 2021. As of Oct. 10, corn harvest in the state had reached 55% complete, compared to the five-year average of 46%. Soybean harvest was 43% complete, compared to the five-year average of 45%.
The corn crop itself has been in good condition, with 70% rated either excellent or good, 23% fair, and just 7% poor or very poor. Soybeans are nearly identical, with 71% rated excellent or good, 20% fair, and just 9% poor or very poor.
Check out this slideshow for a look at harvest on one Illinois farm through the eyes of Prairie City farmer Bridjet Blout, her parents Aaron and Julie Blout, and her grandfather Armin Blout.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like