USDA’s Monday report confirmed what farmers have known for months in Illinois – crop yields are on pace for a massive nosedive compared to recent record-setting harvests. USDA projects Illinois yields this season could average 181 bushels per acre for corn, down 29 bushels from last year’s record of 210, and 55 bushels for soybeans, 10 bushels off last year’s yield of 65 bushels, also a state record. Illinois farmers planted 1.1 million fewer acres of corn and soybeans combined this season. (FarmWeekNow)