Though the brown marmorated stink bug (pictured) has marched across Illinois this fall, no economic losses for crops have been reported by Illinois farmers to date. (Illinois Natural History Survey photo)

It appears as if record soybean production and second-highest-ever corn production will be the result of the 2016 U.S. harvest, according to Illinois USDA-NASS projections. Producers will get their chance to report their harvest yields in October surveys being mailed across Illinois by NASS. And with harvest at full throttle, Illinois Corn offered farmers tips to remain safe at harvest and in grain bins last week. Also: what’s up with all the stink bugs? We’ve got some answers.

NASS: Record Illinois crop yield, production on tap

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois farmers will record a historic level of soybean production at harvest this year, according to the latest Illinois Crop Production report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Planted area is estimated at 10.1 million acres, up 3 percent from last year. Harvested area, at 10.05 million acres, is projected to rise by 3 percent from 2015. The Illinois soybean yield is forecast at 62 bushels per acre, up six bushels from last year, reflecting the highest yield on record for the state. Soybean production is predicted to reach 623 million bushels, shattering last year’s pace by 14 bu./acre and setting a new production record.

Corn production, forecast at 2.32 billion bushels, would be the second highest production next to the record-setting 2014 corn harvest. Planted corn area is estimated at 11.7 million acres, unchanged from 2015, as is harvested area, forecast at 11.5 million acres. Corn yield is estimated at a record-setting 202 bushels, shattering the 2015 yield by 27 bu./acre.

In addition, alfalfa hay production was forecast at 960,000 tons, 19 percent above 2015. Production of other hay is estimated at 696,000 tons, 4 percent below 2015, according to the October 12 USDA-NASS report.

County crop yield survey underway

SPRINGFIELD — Producers across Illinois will have an opportunity to record their expected bin-busting yields for corn and soybeans during the USDA-NASS county-level crop yield survey, which is underway. A confidential questionnaire was mailed to more than 8,500 Illinois growers in order to estimate 2016 crop yields.

“Producers should know that these survey results have a direct impact on their farms and that accuracy is very important,” said Mark Schleusener, NASS-Illinois State Statistician, in a news release. “NASS needs 30 reports in each county to publish county-level results, and those results are used directly by the Farm Service Agency to implement the Agricultural Risk Coverage-County programs. A large majority of farms participate in these programs, and you can make a big difference when they need help.”

Schleusener stressed that federal law ensures the confidentiality of all responders to the survey, which estimates county-level corn, soybean, wheat and hay yields. “We safeguard the privacy of all respondents, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified. Individual responses are also exempt from the Freedom of Information Act,” he said. “Many producers respond by mail, or on our secure website which can save them time. After a while, we will begin contacting producers on the phone to ensure adequate response rates in as many counties as possible. Because the sample size is so large, NASS will continue data collection into January of 2017. Results for corn and soybeans will be published in February 2017.”

Illinois Farm Fact:

As of October 11, 2016 the Illinois corn harvest was 62 percent complete.

Staying safe during corn harvest

BLOOMINGTON — Lindsay Mitchell, special projects coordinator for Illinois Corn, wants members of the state’s largest corn growers’ association to stay safe during harvest season. Because agriculture has been the deadliest U.S. industry for the past 10 years — beating mining and construction in deaths per 100,000 workers — Mitchell has compiled safety tips for grain bin entries and auger use for farmers to review at www.ilcorn.org.

Most grain bin accidents occur when grain is being unloaded, research has shown. More than 40 percent of accidents involve grain that is out of condition. Nearly 20 percent of grain bin fatalities happen to workers under 20 years old. Experts recommend shutting off power to a grain bin and utilizing a safety harness, along with working in pairs whenever entering a bin.

Children under the age of 18 should not operate augers and not should enter areas near augers, which are used to enhance grain flow in bins. Before starting an auger, all protective shields should be checked to ensure they are in good working condition. Persons wearing loose clothing or jewelry, or with long, unsecured hair should never operate an auger. While in operation, workers should never step or jump over an auger. In addition, barriers should be used to prevent those not involved in the operation of an auger from entering the area.

With grain bin safety a top concern for farmers, both the University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Grain and Feed Association can provide farmers with safety and educational materials, Mitchell noted.

Brown marmorated stink bugs on march in Illinois

CHAMPAIGN — So, what’s up with all the stink bugs clinging to your drapes and generally making themselves at home in your abode this fall? According to Kelly Estes, Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (APS) coordinator for the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois, invasive brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSBs) are turning up in several Illinois counties where they had never been seen before, congregating on house siding, window sills, garages and inside homes. Reports of BMSBs have been steadily increasing since September, Estes reported.

“This is the time of year when stink bugs are most active as they look for cracks and crevices in buildings and other dry places to overwinter,” she said in an article published Sept. 30. The species, which has few known natural enemies and can grow populations quickly, was first found in Cook County and in the East St. Louis area in 2010. This year it has been confirmed in at least five additional Illinois counties.

The insects, which are known as crop pests, have a marmorated or mottled brown color and their antennae have white bands. Alternating black and white bands border the species’ abdomen. They lay eggs on the underside of leaves and feed on 150 to 200 host plants in gardens, orchards and fields. Unlike in some Mid-Atlantic states, no known economic crop losses have been reported in Illinois as a result of the BMSB.

Send photos of suspected BMSBs for confirmation to kcook8@illinois.edu.

–R.F.D. NEWS & VIEWS–