State could see record wheat yield

USDA reports the Illinois winter wheat yield is forecast at 75 bushels per acre, which is up one bushel from 2016.

If realized, this will be a record high yield for the state. Production is forecast at 36.8 million bushels, which is six percent above the previous year. The winter wheat harvested Illinois area in 2017 is expected to be 490,000 acres, up four percent from the prior year.

Wednesday's USDA reports were considered bearish with more production based upon no change in yield, increases in old stocks and acreage changes, says Merrill Crowley of Crowley Commodities in Watseka. After the report was issued, corn was down 8 cents, beans down 3 and wheat was down 14.