The crop season rarely turns out to be average or even as predicted. The 2007 season was at times unpredictable, depressing, interesting, and possibly even fascinating.

"Early in the year, improved commodity prices and ethanol demand seemed to indicate increased profitability," says Dennis Epplin, University of Illinois Extension crop systems educator. "But, increased input prices and weather stress dampened those prospects for some producers."

An Easter time freeze in early April damaged a promising wheat crop. Some fields/locations did recover and produced acceptable yields. Hay crops were also damaged by the freeze. Livestock producers might even argue that the freeze/heat/drought combination affected hay and forage crops to a greater extent than any of the others. Hay continues to be in short supply, and crop residue is currently being baled as an emergency livestock feed source.

Epplin says corn was the "Cinderella" crop for the 2007 season. Dramatically higher prices encouraged farmers to plant more corn acres. Southern Illinois farmers were fortunate to accomplish an early and timely corn planting. Corn established well and most had silked by early July. Nearly 80 percent of Illinois corn was rated good to excellent on July 15, 2007.

Conditions deteriorated into August and September for most of southern Illinois. Hot, dry weather took an obvious toll on corn production. What promised to be a near record corn yield gradually was transformed into an average to slightly below average corn crop. Yes, southern producers feel fortunate to raise this much corn in extremely hot, dry growing conditions. However, most had hoped for more.

Soybean harvest is essentially complete in mid-October. Epplin says those yields have been disappointing but not unexpected. The hot, dry conditions probably took a greater toll on the later planted soybeans. Soybean rust did again arrive in Illinois, but the late arrival and dry weather prevented any measurable yield losses.

Farmers may occasionally complain, however, most are eternal optimists. Improved wheat prices and early grain harvest have resulted in a real flurry of wheat interest and planting. For now, producers keep on learning and trying to grow that "bin buster" crop.