Illinois farmers are a couple weeks away from finishing off a record yield corn harvest this year.

Jeff Squibb, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said 81 percent of the corn crop was harvested by the end of last week. That number coordinates with the five-year average.

“Although 81 percent has been harvested, it is a much larger crop,” Squibb said. “The 81 percent for this year’s crop is larger in bushels.”

“This year’s projection is figured at 167 bushels per acre, which would surpass the 156 bushels per acre of 1994.”

While the last record state harvest was set in ’94, this year’s projection vastly exceeds last year’s harvest.

“If that projection is accurate, Illinois would harvest 1.87 billion bushels, which is 25 percent higher than last year and five percent higher than the record,” Squibb said.

Squibb said projections are determined by how much corn was planted, weather conditions during the growing season and other possible factors.

Kim Holsapple, grain department manager for Effingham Clay Grain Elevator Inc., said factors worked favorably for this year’s harvest. Weather allowed for crops to be planted early, he said.

“I think you would have to assume it was a good year, weather-wise,” Holsapple said.

Favorable temperatures and precipitation assisted crop growth in the state.

“Although it was a dry August, the corn was already physically mature enough to handle it,” Holsapple said.

The prime conditions for planting and growing corn ensured a prosperous harvest. Squibb said the entire crop should be harvested within the next two weeks.

City Editor Carly Mullady can be reached at [email protected].