AgricultureID

State · US-IL

Illinois

Illinois spans hot-summer humid continental (Dfa) conditions in the north and center and humid subtropical (Cfa) conditions in the south, with hot, humid summers and rainfall in all seasons. The frost-free season lengthens markedly from north to south.

Major crop systems

  • Rainfed maize–soybean two-year rotation
  • Soft red winter wheat, mainly in the south
  • Specialty crops including processing pumpkins

Major livestock systems

  • Confined hog (swine) production
  • Beef and dairy cattle
  • Poultry

Agricultural land: Deep, dark prairie Mollisols across the central till plains make Illinois one of the most productive row-crop states; cropland dominates land use outside the Chicago metropolitan area and the dissected southern hills. Irrigation: Row cropping is predominantly rainfed, with limited irrigation on sandier soils such as the Illinois and Kankakee river sand areas.

Agroecological zones: Dfa (Hot-summer humid continental), Cfa (Humid subtropical)

Documented crops & livestock

Official institutions

  • Illinois Department of Agriculture — State department for agriculture, animal health, and marketing.
  • University of Illinois Extension — Land-grant research and extension (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
  • USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) — Official state-level crop, livestock, and Census of Agriculture statistics, published through its regional field office network.

Data coverage & limitations

Descriptive profile; subnational statistics for Illinois are published by USDA NASS and the Illinois Department of Agriculture and are not reproduced numerically here.

  • Boundaries and administrative classification follow the ISO 3166-2 subdivision system and USDA/state reporting units.
  • No subnational statistics are reproduced here; any official figures are dated, versioned, and periodically revised — read them with their year and source.
  • A statewide profile masks the north–south climate gradient that separates the maize-dominated central prairie from the more diversified, wheat-inclusive south.

Sources

This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.

  1. [1]USDA NASS — National Agricultural Statistics Service (opens in a new tab)

    USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)

    Authoritative

    Cited for: Official state agricultural statistics

    Type:
    Government agency
    Jurisdiction:
    United States
    Accessed:
    2026-07-12
  2. [2]USDA — U.S. Department of Agriculture (opens in a new tab)

    United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

    Authoritative

    Cited for: Federal agricultural context

    Type:
    Government agency
    Jurisdiction:
    United States
    Accessed:
    2026-07-12