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Lighter disease pressure boosted organic yields in central IL this year

A central Illinois seed dealer says he is seeing higher organic corn and soybean yields this harvest.

Andrew Mussleman with Parable Agronomics in Morton, Illinois tells Brownfield harvest is about ¾ complete in his area.

“I work a lot with organic farmers here in central Illinois and there have been some outstanding yields, probably 50 bushels higher on organic corn yields than last year. Organic bean yields have been very good as well.”

He attributes that to less disease presence. “Tar spot, southern rust and root rots last year came in an hurt the organic yields, but this year we didn’t see that same disease pressure.”

Mussleman says there are about 50 organic farmers in the Woodford/Tazewell County area and the market for organic grain is growing, with poultry farms being one of the largest end users.