The 2011 Illinois corn crop is expected to produce 161 bushels per acre, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) September Crop Production report. Down nine bushels from its August forecast, the NASS report falls more in line with projections from central Illinois producers in recent weeks.

Pete Streid, a farmer from Woodford County, said he is expecting 160 bushels or slightly better when he begins harvesting his corn this week. “I’ve still got around 25 percent moisture in corn right now,” he said last week, of his early May-planted corn.

He echoed the lament of many area farmers who are experiencing one- to two-inch “tipping” of ears along with underdeveloped kernels – two known yield-robbers. “The tops are out of (the ears),” Streid said.

John Ackerman, a corn grower from neighboring Tazewell County, was not as optimistic as Streid, as he prepared to harvest his crop this week. “We’re actually in a drought situation here, and the corn has really suffered,” he said. “I have changed my yield expectation from 180 (bushels) early in the year, and now I’ll be happy at 150. I will not be surprised at 140 in some fields.

“The quote I heard was that farmers who are expecting a really good yield are going to be disappointed, and the farmers who are fearing the worst are going to be pleasantly surprised.”

Jeff Brooks, manager of the Grainland Elevator outside Eureka, said the cooperative’s members have so far been pleasantly surprised at their harvest results. “We saw our first corn (delivered) on September 6, and to date we are about 7 percent done,” Brooks said on Sept. 20.

“Average moisture is 27 percent. Quality is very good, with test weight running about 54 to 55 pounds (per bushel) on wet corn. It has been a slower start than I expected due to the moisture.

“I expected yields to be down about 10 percent from last year, with a 170- to 180-BPA average, but I am not sure that will be the case. Yields I have figured to date are 177 to 210. I think we may be closer to a 190 to 200 bushels an acre average thus far. This can change as we move deeper into harvest.”

Illinois corn was estimated on Sept. 19 as 97 percent dented, 63 percent mature and 11 percent harvested, according to NASS.

Soybeans were 69 percent yellowed, 31 percent shedding and 1 percent harvested. Illinois soybean yields are expected to average 48 bushels per acre, less than 2010’s record yield of 51.5, according to the NASS report.

Crops are coming along in the Hoosier state, but not as quickly as growers might like. The Indiana office of NASS reported last week 36 percent of the corn crop was mature, compared to 22 percent the week before. On a five-year average, however, 47 percent would be mature by now.

Looking at soybeans, 39 percent of the crop was shedding leaves, compared to 21 percent the week prior, but the five-year average for this time in the season is 53 percent.

Southern Indiana farmers were busy getting corn out of the fields ahead of last week’s rains, and a few were even able to begin soybean harvest. About 4 percent of the Hoosier corn crop and 1 percent of the soybean crop was harvested as of Sept. 18. A grain elevator dispatcher in Plainville said corn test weights were good and moisture content was a little high.

Progress stalled last week as most of the state finally received rain. Depending on what part of the state they’re in, farmers lost 1-4 days of work to rainy conditions. Accumulations were minimal, though, with no area of the state receiving a full inch of precipitation.

Below-normal temperatures also blanketed the state, providing relief for livestock. Pastures also benefited from the cooler temperatures and from the rains, as well. Speculation about early frost or freeze in the Midwest shouldn’t affect Indiana, but if it does reach Hoosier fields, agronomist Bob Nielsen said delayed grain maturity could be an issue in corn.

“Given the estimated percentage of the state’s corn crop yet in the dent stage of development or younger, the significance of an early-occurring fall frost or freeze event should not be underestimated,” he wrote in a report.

The third cutting of alfalfa was almost complete as of Sept. 18, on par with the five-year average. Tobacco harvest was ahead of the five-year average, with 61 percent of the crop harvested on the same date, compared to 56 percent on average. Other specialty crops such as popcorn, cucumbers, potatoes and tomatoes also continued to be harvested.

Tom Ross of Hardin County just finished his third cutting of alfalfa on his 110-acre farm; no complaints here. But his soybeans are lagging behind last year’s figures. So is his corn.

“I guess you can’t have it both ways. I’m up with one crop, down in two others,” Ross said. “I’ve had great success with my hay, but my soybeans are behind schedule. The good news is I’ve seen very little damage to the soybeans due to aphids. They’re podding very well at this point.

“Still, their progress has been slow. I blame it on the up-and-down weather we’ve had since last spring. I’m also behind in my corn, but I don’t stand alone here. Most in western Ohio are having trouble, as well.”

Last week’s rains didn’t help producers much. Just four days were suitable for fieldwork. Fields were still wet from the previous week’s rain. The only field activities reported by producers included tilling wheat stubble, planting cover crops, hauling manure, harvesting corn for silage and preparing storage bins and equipment for fall harvest.

Cool temperatures didn’t help. The average temperature was 61.1 degrees, nearly five degrees below normal.

As of Sept. 18, corn in dough was 96 percent. Corn dented was 66 percent, compared to 99 percent last year. The progress with corn has Ross and others concerned. Corn mature was 13 percent, compared to 69 percent last year. And corn for silage was just 37 percent harvested, compared to 89 last season.

On the positive side, the third cutting of hay was 93 percent complete, and 45 percent of the fourth cutting of hay has been registered.