There are A lot of smiles in Illinois’ Wheat Belt this yr.

Shut to-best circumstances boosted yields and enhanced extreme quality of the crop, most of which has been harvested.

“There are A lot of joyful guys this yr,” said Matt Wehmeyer of seed agency AgriMAXX. “Yields have been fantastic. Many purchasers have commented it’s both a doc harvest or near it.”

The agency had a doc Quantity of members in its 100 Bushel Membership, achieved by averaging A minimal of 100 bushels per acre in A complete area.

“General, I think about yields have been common to above common,” said Don Bergschneider of CHS elevator in Shipman.

Craig Finke, who grows A pair of hundred acres of wheat near Nashville in Washington County, said his crop was In all probability The biggest ever.

Yields have been good, however so has extreme quality, Which Might Even be as important. Growers with masses coming in under 55 kilos per bushels are routinely docked. This yr, look at weights have been fantastic In lots of areas, elevator operators say.

There have been comparatively few outbreaks Of good illnesses Similar to scab.

“The early harvested wheat has fantastic extreme quality,” Wehmeyer said. “A lot of the look at weights have been 60-plus. A few of the heavyweight varieties have been As a lot as 65 kilos. Sixty is the benchmark everyone Desires to shoot for.

People are additionally studying…

“The tail finish of harvest had extra rain delays, however that’s pretty typical. Test weights started so extreme, it didn’t have an effect on the later wheat a lot.”

Joe Leidner, who farms near Mulberry Grove in Fayette County, hasn’t planted wheOn the previous two yrs however plans to get again Inside the saddle this fall. He said he Might have some minor regrets after seeing how properly the crop did on neighboring farms this yr.

“I’ve heard 90 (bushels per acre),” he said. “I’ve the seed purchased And that i intfinish to sow wheat this fall.”

As is the case with many farmers, worth is a driving problem, adopted by extreme quality factors.

“As quickly as I see wheat trfinish at $5 or under, that probably makes The Most very important distinction,” Leidner said. “And crop insurance coverage doesn’t pay on extreme quality factors, so Everytime You’ve a moist spell all by way of harvest You will Have The power to have sprouting and low-extreme quality grain, You will Have The power to have an 80-bushel crop however Want to promote it for nothing.”

Bergschneider said his clients have been usually joyful with the crop.

“Quality was pretty good for In all probability the most half,” he said. “Test weights ranged from 56 to 61. A few of The quicklyer harvested wheat had probably The greater look at weights. We didn’t have A lot of factors with vomitoxin. There was a contact of sprout damage of some crops that acquired An extreme quantity of rain on them, however I really feel it was minimal.”

Wehmeyer think abouts many farmers — like Leidner — will both resume wheat manufacturing this fall or enhance acreage.

“I really feel it’s going to be regular to up,” he said. “New-crop prices on subsequent June-to-July bids at St. Louis terminals are already north of $7 a bushel, which is greater the place we started final yr Presently. … If the climate treats us properly we may plant A lot of wheat.”

48 Olympic athletes with Illinois ties

Aisha Praught-Leer, Jamaica: 1,500-meter run

The Moline native and former Illinois State runner Shall be competing in her second Olympics in A mannequin new event. After ending 14th Inside The three,000-meter steeplechase in 2016, She Goes to run Inside the 1,500 this yr.

Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press

Alyssa Naeher, Usa, soccer

The Purple Stars goalkeeper has been on two World Cup-worthwhile groups — As a Outcome of the againAs a lot as Hope Solo in 2015 And since the No. 1 goalkeeper Inside the U.S. group’s run to the 2019 championship. The 33-yr-previous Connecticut native has performed with the Purple Stars for six yrs.

David J. Phillip

Andrea Filler, Italy, soccer

The earlier Northwestern softball participant and current director of operations for Wildcats softball and area hockey Shall be an inareaer for the Italian softball group. Filler previously performed professionally in Italy and for the Chicago Bandits.

Charlie Riedel

Casey Krueger, Usa, soccer

The Naperville Central grad initially was named an alternate however joined The complete squad after roster guidelines modified, permitting groups To choose 18 recreationrs every recreation from a pool Of twenty-two. Krueger, née Brief, who performed at Florida State, has been a deffinisher with the Purple Stars since 2016.

Shafkat Anowar

Darryl Sullivan, Usa: High leap

The Marion native accomplished second On the Olympic trials with a leap Of seven ft, 7¾ inches, which tied his private biggest. The two3-yr-previous Tennessee graduate, who accomplished fourth Inside the extreme leap On the NCAA Championships in June, will make his first Olympic look.

Charlie Riedel

David Kfinishziera, Usa: 400-meter hurdles

Kfinishziera, a Mount Prospect native, was A ten-time All-American at Illinois. The two6-yr-previous ran A private-biggest time of 48.38 seconds to earn a spot on his first Olympic group.

Sergei Grits

David Robertson, Usa, baseball

The earlier White Sox nearer spent 12 seasons Inside the primarys, collectively with 2½ in Chicago from 2015-17. After signing a two-yr, $23 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies earlier than the 2019 season, Robertson pitched in solely seven video recreations earlier than injuring his elbow and current process Tommy John surgical procedure later that yr. He hasn’t pitched Inside the primarys since.

John Locher

DeAnna Price, Usa: Hammer

The Carbondale native set two American data On the Olympic trials, turning into the second woman to ever prime 80 meters Together with her throw of 80.31 meters (263 ft, 6 inches). Poland’s Anita Włodarczyk hpreviouss the world doc of 82.98 meters. Price, a two-time NCAA champion at Southern Illinois, accomplished eighth in 2016 in Rio.

Dan McNeile

Eddy Alvarez, Usa, baseball

The earlier Chicago White Sox minor leaguer could Discover your self to be simply the third American to medal On the Winter and Summer time Olympics if the U.S. group makes The podium. In 2014, Alvarez was An factor of the 5,000-meter short monitor velocity skating relay group that gained silver. The inareaer spent 5 seasons Inside the Sox farm system and Now’s in Triple A with the Miami Marlins after having fun with in 12 primary-league video recreations for the group in 2020.

MARK BROWN, VIA MCT

Edwin Jackson, Usa, baseball

The earlier primary-league pitcher of 17 seasons made 30 begins in 2010-11 for the White Sox and 58 begins and 82 appears for the Cubs from 2013-15. He final pitched in A critical-league recreation for the Detroit Tigers in 2019.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Eliza Stone, Usa: Saber

The Chicago native, who has a brother and sister who additionally fence, wAs a Outcome of the 2013 NCAA saber champion at Princeton. She since has competed on the world stage and gained bronze On the 2018 senior world championships. That is her first Olympics.

Charlie Riedel

Evita Griskenas, Usa, rhythmic gymnastics

The Orland Park native and Sandburg graduate wAs a Outcome of the 2021 U.S. ball champion and the all-aspherical, golf equipment and ribbon silver medalist. She trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center and Shall be making her Olympic dehowever.

Fernando Vergara

Felicia Stancil, Usa: BMX racing

The Lake Villa native and former Grayslake North scholar started BMX racing when she was 4 and gained her first world title at age 9. She competed for Marian College in Indianapolis and wAs a Outcome of the 2019 USA Biking Elite Nationwide Champion.

Jon Super

Gwen Berry, Usa: Hammer

The earlier Southern Illinois thrower Shall be making her second Olympic look. She Did not qualify for the hammer finals in Rio in 2016, Together with her throw Of twenty-two9 ft, 4 inches placing her 14th.

Shizuo Kambayashi

Jeproperly Loyd, Usa, women’s basketball group

The earlier Niles West and Notre Dame guard will make her first Olympic look In the midst of Definitely one of the biggest season of her profession. Loyd, a two-time WNBA All-Star whom the Seattle Storm drafted No. 1 overall in 2015, is averaging 17.5 factors, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per recreation.

Jordan Wilimovsky, Usa: 10-kilometer

The two017 Northwestern graduate positioned fifth Inside The ten-kilometer open-water swim in Rio and now has An alternative to win his first medal in Tokyo. Wilimovsky, who additionally was fourth Inside the 1,500-meter freestyle in Rio, licensed in July 2019 for the Tokyo Games Inside The tenK marathon event, which dehowevered On the Olympics in 2008.

Ashley Landis

Jordyn Poulter, Usa, volleyball

The earlier Illini setter was an All-American in her 2018 senior season. At 23 Getting into her first Olympics, she is the youngest member of the U.S. volleyball group.

Andy Clayton-King, Associated Press

Josh Zeid, Israel, baseball

The Chicago Cubs rehab pitching coordinator and pitching analyst has a historic previous having fun with for Israel, collectively with pitching Inside the 2017 World Baseball Basic. Zeid, a 34-yr-previous Connecticut native, made 48 aid appears over two seasons with the Houston Astros in 2013 and 2014.

Shizuo Kambayashi, Associated Press

Julie Ertz, Usa, soccer

The two-time World Cup winner now will add a second Olympics to her resume. The two9-yr-previous midareaer/deffinisher has performed In just one recreation this season As a Outcome of of an MCL sprain however nonetheless made the U.S. roster with hopes she’ll be ready for Olympic play.

Phelan M. Ebenhack

Kelsey Card, Usa: Discus

The earlier Carlinville athlete Shall be making her second Olympic look. Card, who nonetheless owns the IHSA discus state-meet doc and wAs a Outcome of the 2016 NCAA champion at Wisconsin, didn’t qualify for finals Inside the 2016 Games in Rio.

Charlie Riedel

Kelsey Robinson, Usa, volleyball

Robinson, the former Wheaton St. Francis and Nebraska standout, was a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic group that gained bronze. She has been on the U.S. women’s national group since 2014

Matt Rourke, Associated Press

Kent Farrington, Usa: Present leaping

The 40-yr-previous Latin grad is The very biggest-ranked American On the earth at No. 5. He helped the 2016 group win silver in Rio And in addition accomplished fifth particular personly.

John Locher

Kevin McDoproperly, Usa

The Geneva grad grew up competing in triathlon, however his profession was derailed for A few yrs when he was recognized with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2011. He recovered and turned a seven-time Triathlon World Cup medalist and the 2017 USA Triathlon elite national champion. This Shall be his first Olympics.

Felipe Dana, Associated Press

Laura Zeng, Usa, rhythmic gymnastics

Zeng wAs a Outcome of the 2021 U.S. all-aspherical champion And in addition took gprevious in hoop, golf equipment and ribbon. The Libertyville graduate accomplished Eleventh Inside the all-aspherical rivals On the 2016 Olympics in Rio, which tied her for Definitely one of the biggest U.S. finish since Valerie Zimring in 1984. She trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center.

Julio Cortez

Lauren Doyle, Usa, rugby

The Macon Meridian and Japanese Illinois grad is making her second Olympic look after serving to the U.S. group to a fifth-place finish in 2016. She’s additionally a former monitor athlete.

Japanese Illinois

Maggie Shea, Usa, crusing

The mannequin new Trier graduate grew up crusing on Lake Michigan, sailed at Connecticut School and now will make her Olympic dehowever. Shea and groupmate Steph Roble gained bronze Inside the 49erFX World Championship in 2020.

J Pat Carter

Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, Usa, volleyball

The Collinsville Highschool And that illinois grad is on her first Olympic group after she was an alternate in 2016. She helped the Illini’s run to NCAA runner-up in 2011. She has been a member of The women’s national group since 2015.

Provided BY FIVB

Mitch Glasser, Israel, baseball

The White Sox drafted the Latin product Inside The three9th spherical of the 2012 draft. He performed Inside the Sox group for one season earlier than having fun with in Australia and Inside the American Affiliation of Expert Baseball. He’s additionally an assistant baseball coach at Chicago State.

Kyle Telechan / Submit-Tribune

Nefeli Papadakis, Usa, judo

Papadakis, a Gurnee native who attaccomplished Warren and School of Lake County, is making her Olympic dehowever at 78 kilograms. The three-time medalist On the Pan American Championships has been coached by her dad, Steve.

Brian Caspromotea

North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics group, Usa: Rhythmic gymnastics group rivals

Based mostly out of Chicago’s north suburbs, this group is made up of Isabelle Connor (Manhattan Bevery, Calif.), Camilla Feeley (Wheeling), Lili Mizuno (Northbrook), Elizaveta Pletneva (Wheeling) and Nicole Sladkov (Vernon Hills). They’re the third U.S. rhythmic gymnastics group to compete in Olympic rivals. With A particular set of athletes, North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics additionally competed in Rio in 2016 however accomplished final Inside the Olympic qualifying spherical.

Rebecca Blackproperly

Pedrya Seymour, Bahamas: 100-meter hurdles

Seymour Shall be making her second Olympic look for the Bahamas after ending sixth Inside The ten0-meter hurdles in 2016 in Rio. She was A 3-time All-American at Illinois earlier than she transferred to Texas for her final season, when she accomplished fourth Inside The ten0 hurdles On the NCAA championships.

Ricardo Mazalan

Rajeev Ram, Usa: Males’s doubles

The Illinois alum, who gained the 2003 NCAA doubles championship and helped the Illini to the group championship that yr, returns to the Olympics after worthwhile silver Inside the mixed doubles rivals with Venus Williams in Rio in 2016. He’ll pair with Frances Tiafoe Inside The lads’s doubles rivals this yr.

Associated Press

Raven Saunders, Usa: Shot put

Saunders gained NCAA indoor and outdoors shot put titles in her freshman yr at Southern Illinois earlier than transferring to Mississippi, the place she gained two extra national championships. She made her Olympic dehowever in 2016 in Rio, the place she accomplished fifth.

Petr David Josek

Ryan Murphy, Usa: 100- and 200-meter againstroke

Murphy was born in Palos Heights however moved to Florida as A toddler. He is A 3-time Olympic gprevious medalist, worthwhile The ten0- and 200-meter againstroke and the 400 medley relay in 2016 in Rio.

Jeff Roberson

Sandi Morris, Usa: Pole vault

The two016 silver medalist in Rio was born in Downers Grove earlier than her househprevious moved to South Carolina when she was 4 yrs previous. She gained silver with a vault of 15 ft, 11 inches, in 2016 and is the American outdoors doc-hpreviouser Inside the event.

Charlie Riedel

Thomas Detry, Belgium, golf

Detry, the 2015 Huge Ten golfer of the yr at Illinois, makes his Olympic dehowever. He grouped with former Illini groupmate Thomas Pieters to wInside the 2018 World Cup of Golf championship for Belgium.

Jane Barlow

Thomas Jaeschke, Usa, volleyball

The earlier Wheaton Warrenville South participant, who helped Loyola to again-to-again NCAA championships in 2014 and 2015, makes his second Olympic look. He performed for the 2016 group that gained bronze in Rio.

George Nikitin

Thomas Pieters, Belgium, golf

The Illinois alum will make his second Olympic look after ending fourth in 2016 in Rio. Pieters wAs a Outcome of the 2012 NCAA particular person champion and helped the Illini finish As a Outcome of the NCAA runner-up in 2013.

Christian Gooden

Tierna Davidson, Usa, soccer

The two2-yr-previous deffinisher is in her third season with the Purple Stars and wAs a Outcome of the youngest participant on the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup-worthwhile group. After the California native helped Stanford to the NCAA title in 2017, she turned the No. 1 decide Inside the 2019 NWSL draft.

Phelan M. Ebenhack

Tim Federowicz, Usa, baseball

Federowicz performed in 17 video recreations for the Chicago Cubs Through the 2016 season. The catcher has made appears for six groups over eight primary-league seasons and Now’s with The l. a. Dodgers’ Triple-A group.

Chris Sweda

Tim Nedow, Canada: Shot put

The earlier DePaul thrower Shall be making his second Olympic look. The Brockville, Ontario, native, who gained a number of Huge East titles Inside the shot put and discus at DePaul, didn’t make the finals in his first journey to the Olympics in 2016.

David J. Phillip

Tomáš Satoranský, Czech Republic, men’s basketball group

The Chicago Bulls guard wAs a Outcome of the event MVP Inside the Olympic qualifying event after main the Czech Republic with 16 factors, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per recreation. Satoranský, 29, commond 7.7 factors and 4.7 assists in 58 video recreations this season, his second with the Bulls and fifth Inside the NBA.

Randy Reinhardt

Tori Franklin, Usa: Triple leap

The Downers Grove South graduate is the American doc-hpreviouser Inside the indoor and outdoors journeyle leap. She licensed for her first Olympics by placing second On the trials with a leap of 47 ft, 1½ inches.

Charlie Riedel

Tyson Bull, Australia: Horizontal bar

Bull, who was an All-American on the horizontal bar at Illinois, licensed for the Olympics in 2019 On the World Championships when he earned a rating of 14.366 on the horizontal bar and accomplished seventh Inside the event final. He Can be The primary Illini gymnast to compete Inside the Olympics since Justin Spring in 2008.

Charlie Riedel

Zach LaVine, Usa, men’s basketball group

Just a few months after he was named to his first NBA All-Star group, the 6-foot-5 Bulls guard was decideed for his first Olympic group. LaVine, 26, commond 27.4 factors, 5 rebounds and 4.9 assists per recreation final season, his fourth with the Bulls and seventh Inside the NBA.

R Brent Smith

Zach Ziemek, Usa: Decathlon

Ziemek accomplished seventh Inside the 2016 Olympics in Rio and wAs a Outcome of the 2018 U.S. national champion. The Lake Park and Wisconsin graduate had A private Higher of 8,471 factors Inside the decathlon On the Olympic trials To finish third.

Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

​Oliby way of Smoliga, Usa: 400-meter freestyle relay

The Glenbrook South graduate gained gprevious On the 2016 Rio Olympics Inside the 400-meter medley relay. After ending third Inside The ten0 freestyle On the Olympic trials, she Shall be Part of the 400 freestyle relay in Tokyo.

Charlie Neibergall

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