It's only an estimate, but the projected bushel-per-acre yield average for corn here in 2014 is at 179. That's encouraging despite the cool weather during growing season and lack of rain in some sections of the county.

Maybe a little hard to imagine 'lack of rain' considering the last 24-36 hours and what fell in recent weeks. But there was little rain for than a month in some areas and the cooler temps were evident during the peak growing weeks.

Kankakee County Corn Growers Association President Jason Zimmer told WGFA News this is the "biggest estimate delivered by the corn growers." There's a lot of variability; we expect this.

The Corn Growers group held its annual Yield Check meeting (Wed) at the fairgrounds.

The southwest section (near Irwin Road south of Route 17) is where the biggest positive was reported. Yield Check reporter Alex Denault's corn yield estimate is at 200 bu per acre.

Clay Abbott's estimate in the NE section, near Momence, north of Rote 17 at State Line Road, is at 187 an acre. Keith Yohnka's number is similar at 181.

In the St Anne area, from State Line Road to Aroma Park, south of Rt 17, Trevor Ludke had an estimate of 183 per acre.

Three corn growers turned in estimates for the North-Central section, north of Rt 17, from Rt 45 to Warner Bridge Road. Dick Moran, Carl McQueen and Mark Stuffenberg turn in an estimate of 180 bu per acre.

Doug Flagel's South-central section is at 173 an acre. That's from Aroma Park to Irwin Road, south of Rt 17.

Jason Zimmer, himself, reports on the NW section, at 170 per acre.

Zimmer tells WGFA News, the 179 average is optimistic .......

This 179 bu per acre average is "the highest estimate ever." Last year's corn yield estimate was at 169. It was 174 in both 2007 and 2008.

94.1 WGFA