June 15, 2023 - Written By Geswein Farm & Land
Illinois Agriculture, Farmland & Food Production | Top Ranked
The “Corn Belt”
Illinois is a leading state within the agricultural industry, currently ranking #2 in the nation and is commonly known as the “Corn Belt” due to its substantial corn & soybean production. Approximately 76% of Illinois is made up of consistently successful farmland. The state is located in the heart Midwest, with a variable climate, and affectionately named “the corn belt.” The varying climates in different parts of the state allow farmers to plant a diverse agricultural selection across farmland and family farms. In Illinois, the agriculture industry supports almost 6% of jobs. This equates to Illinois agriculture providing more than 482,000 jobs statewide.
Illinois is a leading producer of corn, soybeans and pumpkins, with soybeans being the most widely grown crop. In addition, the state produces a variety of other crops, including hemp, wheat, oats, apples and pears. Livestock production is also a significant part of Illinois’s agriculture, including hogs, cattle, sheep, and goats.
Here are the Rankings of Illinois in the United States for Each Type of Crop, Food, or Animals Produced:
Farmland Acres:
Illinois has a substantial amount of farmland with a wide range of productivity, with approximately 27 million acres of farmland, making it one of the states with the largest farmland acreage and number of family farms in the country.
Corn:
Illinois is the #2 corn producing state in the United States and 13% of the country’s supply of corn is grown on the farms in Illinois. Illinois produces about 274 million bushels of corn per year that is used to produce more ethanol than other states which totals to about 678 million gallons. Farmland in Illinois is often considered some of the most productive in the United States.
Soybeans:
Illinois is the #1 soybean producing state in the United States and produces 15% of all the soybeans in the country are produced in Illinois. In 2022, there were 677.2 million bushels of soybeans produced from Illinois.
Pumpkins:
Consistently, Illinois is the nation’s largest pumpkin producer leading by acreage and weight. In 2021, there were 652 million pounds of pumpkins produced within Illinois. This was more than a quarter of the total United States pumpkin production. This is more than the other five (pumpkin producing) states combined. Along with growing pumpkins, there comes pumpkins patches. Places such as Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch and Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm and Fall Fest are activities centered around this great pumpkin production.
Hemp:
The legalization of industrial hemp production began in August 2018, when the Industrial Hemp Act became effective in Illinois. As production began to grow, COVID-19 occurred and the industry slightly declined. In 2021, farmers planted around 1,100 acres of industrial hemp in Illinois and harvested around 940 of those acres planted. The AM and PM Hemp Farm and the Hempstock Pharms Limited are just two examples of the industrial hemp farms located within Illinois.
Wheat:
In Southern Illinois, most wheat is produced. Illinois ranks third in wheat production. During 2022, Illinois planted around 560,000 acres of wheat – this yielded around 79 bushels per acre.
Oats:
Of the valuable crops that are grown in Illinois, oats are a part of that list. The production of oats is estimated at around 830,000 bushels per the year 2022.
Apples:
Apple trees are some of the most popular fruits trees that are grown in North Illinois. The colder temperatures make a good climate, as well as the hardiness of the apples that allow for them to grow within Illinois.
Pears:
Along with the pattern of cooler temperatures, pears also seem to flourish under this type of climate located in Illinois. On the flip side, pear trees also do well in humidity and higher temperatures.
Pork:
Illinois continues to rank 4th in the nation for pork production. Illinois tends to generate more than two billion pounds of pork a year. There are around 5.4 million head of swine produced each year in Illinois. The Illinois pork industry contributes about $13.8 billion to the state’s economy. There are many processing companies throughout the state of Illinois such as, Calihan Pork Processors Inc., Eickman’s Processing Company and Hartrich Meats Inc. just to name a few.
Cattle:
In Illinois, cattle production is often a common enterprise – producing around 1 million head of cattle each year. While Illinois may not be ranked number one in terms of production, the state does bring in a significant amount. Associations like the Illinois Beef Association gives more current information pertaining to the cattle industry while helping more than 14,000 Illinois cattle farmers.
Sheep:
Producing around 50,000 head, Illinois has never wavered in their rate of production. The wool production totaled around 150,000 pounds in 2022.
Goats:
Through the meat and dairy industries, Illinois contributes quite an amount. In 2021, meat goat production totaled to 25,000 head, while milk goat production totaled in at 9,500 head. Check out more through platforms such as the Illinois Dairy Goat Association and the Illinois Meat Goat Producers.
“Overall, Illinois has a very diverse agriculture sector. One that is a significant contributor to the state’s economy as well as an immense source of food and other products for the U.S. and global markets. Illinois is ranked third nationally in the export of agricultural commodities. This state brings in $8.2 billion worth of goods. These exports from Illinois total for 6% of all the agricultural exports in the United States. This is all due to a great focus on bolstering the economy, the rural communities, and improving successful & sustainable agriculture practices.”
Here are a Few Major Agricultural Organizations Located in Illinois:
Starting as the Illinois Agricultural Association, the Illinois Farm Bureau emerged at the state level in 1916. IFB is the fifth largest Farm Bureau in the United States. Upholding advocacy, granting access to reliable agriculture information, and providing education is what the Illinois Farm Bureau is about. They connect the farming community with consumers and create great value by promoting the values and quality of life.
Representing more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois, the ISA is a checkoff and membership program. ISA upholds the interests of soybean farmers through promotion, advocacy, research and education. This is with the vision of becoming a trusted partner of Illinois soybean farmers to ensure profitability now and future generations.
The IL Corn Growers Association is a state-based organization that represents the corn farmers in Illinois. ICGA creates a future for farmers to operate freely, responsibly, and successfully. The organization conducts governmental affairs activities at every level – market development projects & educational and member service programs.
Illinois Pork Producers Association:
The IPPA is an agricultural trade association representing more than 1,600 pork producers in Illinois that has served pork producers for more than 50 years. This association is comprised of county pork producer organizations in over 20 counties. IPPA provides producers with services that enhance profitability and preference for pork.
The Illinois Livestock Extension addresses all items livestock. This extension ensures farmer’s practices are profitable, ethical, and sustainable – they provide unbiased best practices that are backed by extensive research.
Learn more about regenerative agriculture practices and agriculture information in Illinois through places such as the University of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
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