A return to dry, hot conditions allowed central Illinois farmers to get back to fieldwork last week, with precipitation below normal and heat reaching the mid-90s for several successive days.

Though growing conditions have fluctuated from too wet and cold to extended periods of scorching heat and dryness, two trusted central Illinois corn yield surveys last week appear to show that 2015 corn yields will not be down as much from 2014’s 200-plus bushel harvest as initially feared.

Bell Enterprises, Inc., headquartered in Deer Creek in Woodford County, found the corn harvest will be slightly above the five-year average of 190 bushels per acre, based on a sampling of 142 fields in Congerville, Carlock, Danvers, Morton, Deer Creek, Goodfield, Mackinaw and Minier.

"The kernel count per ear is right at the five-year average of 508 kernels per ear due to good pollination weather, and moderate days and nights following pollination," stated Kim Craig, marketing manager for Bell, in his field notes for the 2015 survey. "There is some tipping back of the ears. The higher populations this year may be some of the reason for the moderate tipping back."

Craig referred to the fact seeding rates for the region were moderately higher this year, leaving early-season plant populations at record levels.

"These record plant populations translated into the highest ear count in our 20-year tour history. We recorded a 32,556 average ear population, but also found again this year a few barren stalks, although not significant."

Craig’s survey summary revealed a yield range from 74.33 bushels an acre to 247.28, across the Woodford County survey zone.

Highlights of the 2015 McLean County corn yield estimate performed by Soy Capital Ag Services of Bloomington were also released, reflecting an estimated average yield of 193.05. About 1,590 samples were taken from 159 locations on managed farms from every township in McLean County. The results suggest those farmers are preparing for the fourth-largest yield in county history – 9 percent over the previous five years.

Sample yields taken by Soy Capital farm managers ranged from 104 to 252.55 bushels. Those farmers who planted some 73 percent of the McLean County corn crop in cool, moist soil during two short windows near the end of April will tend to return higher yields than samples planted at a later date, the survey concluded.

On Aug. 31, central Illinois farmers could be seen harvesting corn east of Eureka and in other locations east of the Illinois River in Woodford County. Across the river in Peoria County, longtime Farm World crop report contributor and reader Verne "Bun" Schaffner expects his yield to be outstanding based on the number of ears per plant and great kernel fill.

"The soybeans may be the best I’ve ever grown, as well," he said.

Schaffner added he doesn’t plan to begin his corn harvest until the end of September, in an effort to reduce as much plant moisture as possible.