The fall harvest season is nearing completion across Illinois, with both corn and soybean harvesting running ahead of the five-year average, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report.
As of Sunday, November 1, Illinois farmers had harvested 86 percent of the state’s corn crop and 91 percent of soybeans.
Corn harvesting is ahead of the five-year average of 83 percent, while soybean harvesting is running six percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 85 percent.
Winter wheat planting is also progressing ahead of schedule, with 84 percent of the crop planted statewide, compared to the five-year average of 81 percent. Approximately 57 percent of the winter wheat crop has emerged, slightly ahead of the normal pace of 54 percent.
The USDA’s first winter wheat condition ratings of the season show 11 percent of the crop in excellent condition, 47 percent good, 34 percent fair, 5 percent poor, and 3 percent very poor. That places 58 percent of the state’s winter wheat crop in good to excellent condition.
Farmers had an average of 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 1, allowing harvest and fall planting activities to continue.
Weather conditions remained unusually warm and dry across Illinois during the reporting period.
The statewide average temperature was 61.3 degrees, nearly 12 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged just 0.17 inches, approximately 0.58 inches below normal.
The continued dry conditions have contributed to declining soil moisture levels across portions of the state.
Topsoil moisture was rated 17 percent very short, 32 percent short, 48 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture conditions were similar, with 17 percent rated very short, 32 percent short, 49 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.
Overall, nearly half of the state’s topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies were rated short or very short as November began.
Despite the dry conditions, Illinois farmers continue to make strong progress wrapping up the 2026 harvest, with corn, soybean, and winter wheat fieldwork all running ahead of their respective five-year averages.