Corn yields lower after drought

CLARK COUNTY, Ill. (WTHI) - As Wabash Valley farmers begin their corn harvest, some are uncovering the results of this summer’s drought and heat.

Nationally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is projecting yields of 123 bushels per acre, down from 147 bushels per acre in 2011.

One farm family in Clark County, Illinois reports their yields have ranged between 16 and 30 bushels per acre, down from between 170 and 200 bushels per acre in 2011. They said these are some of the worst yields they can remember.

“It’s the worst I’ve seen,” said Allen Walters, who farms west of Marshall. “Dad and them always talked about ’83. ’83 was the worst, they always said. This blows it out of the water.”

Nationally, experts have warned lower corn yields may cause increases in the costs of food, fuel and other products.

Meanwhile, many farmers locally are protected by crop insurance which helps ease the cost of low yields. Still, they say, lower corn production will dip into profits.