Illinois: The Heart of the U.S. Agricultural Core

 

U.S. Agricultural Core 

At the heart of the United States Agricultural Core, there lies Illinois. Illinois is one of the nations most important agricultural states because of its corn and soybean production. Illinois is a leading producer of soybeans, corn and swine. The state's climate and varied soil types enable farmers to grow and raise many other agricultural commodities, including cattle, wheat, oats, sorghum, hay, sheep, poultry, fruits and vegetables. Illinois also produces several specialty crops, such as buckwheat, horseradish, ostriches, fish and Christmas trees. Illinois is also one of the leading producers of soybeans in the nation only surpassed by Iowa. The state also ranks second in corn production. Lastly, in terms of agricultural products, the state is home to two American viticultural areas which produce a great amount of wine.

According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois has some 76,000 farms covering about 80 percent of the state which is approximately 28 million acres. Agricultural products account for more than $9 billion in revenue for the state.

Illinois has a competitive edge over many other states due to its central location and superior transportation system. More than 2,000 miles of interstate highway and 34,500 miles of other state highway make trucking of goods fast and efficient. Chicago is home to the largest rail gateway in the nation, connecting eastern and western United States. The state boasts some 1,100 airports, landing areas and heliports, including Chicago's O'Hare International, through which more than 65 million travelers pass annually. Illinois' 1,118 miles of navigable waterways, including the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, make barge traffic an excellent option for shipment of grain to the Gulf of Mexico.

Illinois ranks second nationally in the export of agricultural commodities with nearly $4 billion worth of goods shipped to other countries each year. Exports from Illinois account for nearly 7 percent of all U.S. agricultural exports. Illinois is the nation's second leading exporter of both soybeans and feed grains and related products. More than 44 percent of grain produced in Illinois is sold for export.