News

Corn yields may be lower in 2026 thanks to rain, summer heat

Corn yields may be lower in 2026 thanks to rain, summer heat

FILE - An area corn crop in September, 2024. Photo: Saga Communications


MACON COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) – The fall harvest in Illinois is well underway, but the spring rains and summer heat are impacting corn yields.

Reagan Tibbs at the University of Illinois Extension Office in Lincoln tells WAND News he thinks yields will be slightly lower this year when compared to the 2025 crop.

Tibbs points to nice weather, which allowed some farmers to plant early. Farmers saw a lot of rain, especially in June, followed by more rain, heat, rain and heat again.

One Macon County farmer mentioned that the weather fluctuations in the spring may result in his farm seeing lower yields.

Recent Headlines

18 minutes ago in Entertainment, Trending

Al Pacino to get lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild

Fresh

Al Pacino has been named the next recipient of the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award. The 86-year-old star of "Dog Day Afternoon," "Scent of a Woman" and a trilogy of "Godfather" films is the 62nd actor to receive the highest honor handed out by the Screen Actors Guild -American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

19 minutes ago in Trending, World

Prince Harry and Meghan cheered as they make first joint appearances since returning to UK

Fresh

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan appeared together in a trio of charity visits Thursday, their first joint public appearance since moving back to England, as they seek to rebuild their brand in Britain after walking away from royal duties six years ago.

20 minutes ago in Sports

Eagles rule out quarterback Jalen Hurts for Sunday’s game against Carolina with a blood clot

Fresh

The Philadelphia Eagles have ruled out quarterback Jalen Hurts for Sunday's game against Carolina because of a superficial blood clot in his calf. The Eagles said in a statement Thursday that Hurts was injured in an Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams when he took a cleat to his calf area.