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Agronomist expecting record ’22 corn and soybean yields in Illinois

An Illinois agronomist is expecting Thursday’s 2022 crop production totals by the USDA to confirm record corn and soybean yields in the state.

AgriSompo North America’s Mike Toohill, based in Bloomington, tells Brownfield he’s predicting state average yields of 215 bushels per acre for corn and 64 for soybeans- the same numbers outlined in USDA’s November report.

He says most areas of Illinois only got 70% of normal rainfall in 2022, but that proved beneficial.

“There was little to no flood or water damage in central and northern Illinois and a  lack of wind damage. Another nice thing about the dryer season is we had a lot less tar spot and disease pressure.”

He says higher yields are often achieved with earlier planting dates so the numbers may come as a surprise since many farmers saw planting delays and got crops in the ground two or more weeks later than usual. But Toohill says favorable weather conditions the remainder of the season helped fill the yield gap.  

The corn yield of 215 would surpass the previous record of 210 set in 2018. The soybean yield of 64 would tie the current record set in 2021.