Illinois Harvest Hit by Severe Weather, Crop Disease and High Fuel Costs

An Illinois grower started corn harvest early after hot, dry conditions, but repeated windstorms, tornadoes, and excessive rainfall damaged fields. The crop has faced crown rot, tar spot, sudden death syndrome, and brown stem rot, with corn yields running about 25 to 30 bushels per acre below last year. Diesel prices near $6 per gallon are adding pressure during harvest and prompting him to reconsider tillage plans.

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Cody White farms near Maroa, Illinois. He began combining corn roughly ten days ahead of plan after hot, dry late-summer conditions. June and August brought repeated windstorms, tornadoes, and heavy rain. His area received 15 to 20 inches more precipitation than usual, leaving fields submerged during June. Crown rot, tar spot, top kill, sudden death syndrome, and brown stem rot have affected corn and soybeans. Corn yields are running about 25 to 30 bushels per acre below the prior year.

Diesel costs are adding pressure. On-highway diesel is up nearly 70% year over year; GasBuddy's Sept. 21 median U.S. on-road price was $6.39 per gallon, with California at $8.38. White is reconsidering tillage because harvest is his heaviest fuel-use period. Market rallies have helped, but he says higher fertilizer and fuel expenses offset some benefit. He also notes many farmers sold soybeans near $11 and now watch prices near $13.

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