Many crops are grown throughout Illinois. The two main grain crops grown in Illinois are soybeans and corn.

Soybeans are grown in the midwest, southeast, and the southern portions of our country. We use them in oil protein supplements, food for people and animals, some cosmetics, and also other everyday items. Scientists and health officials are discovering important nutrients in soybeans that aid in maintaining our bodies.

Soybeans are grown in the summertime. It takes four months for soybeans to be fully grown and then to be harvested. They are planted in May to June. They are harvested in September or October. We know when they are ready to be harvested when the plants look dead and are brown. The whole field has to be brown and the seeds have to have 13% moisture.

The biggest corn growing states are Illinois and Iowa. We use corn for sweeteners, gas (ethanol) , and food for humans and livestock.

On an average stalk of corn there are only one or two ears of corn. Corn is planted from April 1 - June 1. It is harvested from October 15 until whenever the farmer gets done with the harvest. Corn takes six months to grow. We know when the corn is ready when the moisture content is 25% - 26%. There are 26,000-30,000 stalks of corn in a square acre.

There are many types of corn. Some of them are: sweet corn, popcorn, field corn, high oil corn, and white corn.