East Central Reporter

State Representative Adam Niemerg shared an update on harvests in an October 16 Facebook post, stating, "Thank you to everyone who makes this our top industry in Illinois!"

"Farmers harvested 62% of soybeans and 49% of corn as of Oct. 14 statewide, which was 15 and 5 points ahead of the average pace, respectively," said Adam M Niemerg, State Representative for 102nd District (R), according to Facebook. "Thank you to everyone who makes this our top industry in Illinois!"

According to his Facebook post, Niemerg shared a link to a Farm Week Now update on the harvests. The article noted that while 62% of soybeans have been harvested and 49% of corn is ahead of the average pace by 15 points and 5 points respectively, it is due to the weather. The state has experienced no measurable rainfall in most areas, and temperatures have been more than five degrees above normal. This has allowed farmers an average of 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork between October 7 and 14, as reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service Illinois field office in the Farm Week Now update. "The warm, dry weather has really pushed harvest along," said Joel Barickman, a FarmWeek CropWatcher from Livingston County. "Many of us are done with beans and corn is coming out quickly."

Screenshot of State Rep. Adam Niemerg's Oct. 16 Facebook post | State Representative Adam Niemerg Facebook page

An October 15 report from Brownfield focused on the 2024 harvest and said that the weekly crop progress and condition report is up five percent on the five-year average. It also notes that 33% of winter wheat has been planted, slightly behind the average of 39% for this time of year. As for soil conditions, it was reported that 58% of the topsoil in the state rated short or very short for moisture as of October 13.

Farm Week Now also reported on October 15 that drought conditions persist despite some moisture from Hurricane Helene's remnants reaching the southern third of the state. The lack of soil moisture mentioned by Brownfield is not specific to Illinois; much of the Midwest faces similar issues with trouble spots identified in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio.

Niemerg was first elected in 2020. He describes himself as a "fiscal conservative focused on reducing taxes and fighting for limited government and pension reform," according to his official biography. He works as a senior claims adjuster with Country Financial and holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University.