A big part of McLean County’s economy—the corn crop—is looking really good for this fall.
A new estimate from Bloomington-based First Mid Ag Services projected an estimated average yield of 231 bushes an acre for corn in McLean County. That’s the highest corn estimate in the 25-year history of the survey. It’s also 8% higher than the five-year average for McLean County, according to First Mid Ag Services.
“Economically, this is going to be a good year for the majority of farmers,” said Michael Rhoda, an assistant vice president with First Mid Ag Services who worked on the survey. “We have high prices right now. And with the high yields, we’re looking at a great revenue standpoint for the farmers.”
So why is it looking to be such a good year?
“We had optimal conditions to plant in,” Rhoda said. “And we’ve had very timely rains, and adequate heat during the summer months of the growing period. It wasn’t too hot where it was taking away moisture from the ground.”
The late June flooding did cause problems, Rhoda said, especially along the U.S. 136 corridor in McLean County. Fields that could handle the heavy rainfall events with better drainage will yield very well, according to First Mid Ag Services.
“There will be some ponded-out areas, and areas there won’t be any yield at all. But where the water didn’t sit too long, it looks really, really good,” Rhoda said.
McLean County is one of the most productive agricultural counties in America. Farmers here produce more than $457 million in grain and livestock each year, according to the most recent USDA ag census.
The survey results are based on 1,600 samples from 160 locations. 93% of the locations returned a yield estimate over 200 bushels per acre.
