Illinois stands as a major agricultural powerhouse. The state is situated within the fertile region often referred to as the Corn Belt, which defines its agricultural identity. The rich prairie topsoil, known as Mollisols, is highly renowned for its deep, dark, and fertile properties, making it an ideal environment for intensive crop production. This remarkable soil quality, deposited by ancient glaciers and wind, covers roughly 75% of the state’s total land area, creating an unparalleled base for farming operations. Illinois’s climate, characterized by warm, humid summers and ample rainfall, complements the soil, ensuring the land can support an extensive range of agricultural commodities.
The Dominant Field Crops: Corn and Soybeans
The vast agricultural landscape of Illinois is primarily defined by the annual rotation of corn and soybeans. The state is consistently ranked as one of the top producers in the nation for both crops, often competing for the number one or two spot in total production volume. Corn is typically harvested from over 10 million acres, yielding massive production volumes that can exceed two billion bushels in a strong year. A substantial amount of Illinois corn is used in the production of ethanol, while corn and soybean meal form the backbone of the animal agriculture industry, serving as feed for livestock. Soybeans also occupy a similar acreage, contributing hundreds of millions of bushels to the national supply, and Illinois is a leading exporter of these feed grains.
Secondary Grain Production
Beyond the dominance of corn and soybeans, Illinois farmers grow a variety of other commodity grains and forage crops. Winter wheat is the most prominent secondary grain, frequently grown as part of a crop rotation strategy to improve soil health and break pest cycles. The state harvested nearly 700,000 acres of winter wheat in a recent year, with yields often surpassing 80 bushels per acre. Oats are another notable grain, though grown on a much smaller scale, often with harvested areas around 17,000 acres. Hay, a forage crop, is also a considerable part of the agricultural economy, supporting the state’s cattle and dairy operations and helping to diversify the crop portfolio.
Specialty and Horticultural Products
Illinois agriculture diversifies beyond commodity grains into a range of specialty and horticultural products. The state is particularly famous for its status as a top national producer of pumpkins, supplying a large percentage of the country’s canned pumpkin puree. The central Illinois town of Morton is often called the “Pumpkin Capital of the World” due to its concentration of processing facilities. Another unique specialty crop for which Illinois is a leading national producer is horseradish; the Collinsville area near St. Louis is a hub for this root crop, supplying much of the United States’ demand. The state also supports a vibrant fruit and vegetable sector, including orchards that grow apples and peaches, and farms that produce sweet corn and melons.
Livestock and Animal Agriculture
The “grow” aspect of Illinois agriculture is strongly intertwined with its robust animal agriculture sector. The large-scale production of corn and soybeans provides a reliable and abundant source of feed, directly linking the state’s crops to its livestock output. Illinois is a major producer of hogs, with pork production being a significant consumer of the state’s two primary grain crops. The state has seen considerable investment in livestock infrastructure, particularly in the swine industry. Cattle production, including both beef and dairy operations, also represents a substantial portion of the animal agriculture industry. Poultry, including egg-laying hens and broiler operations, rounds out the major animal commodities.