Illinois Farmers See Improved Earnings in 2025, But Remain Below Averages

Illinois farmers saw improved earnings in 2025 compared to 2024, but their returns still lagged behind recent averages. According to data from 1,927 certified usable farms enrolled in the Illinois Farm Business Farm Management Association (FBFM), average returns to farm operators' labor and management increased across all regions of Illinois.

The improvement was due to higher commodity prices exceeding beginning-of-year inventory values and farmers receiving Farmer Bridge Assistance payments. Higher livestock prices also boosted returns for livestock farms, which had the highest earnings among different types of farms.

Crop yields and costs were similar to 2024 levels, but average crop returns per acre increased by $65 to $938 in 2025. However, this was still the second-lowest average return per acre over the past five years.

The cost per bushel of corn decreased in all areas except southern Illinois, while the cost per bushel of soybeans also decreased everywhere except the south. Fertilizer and pesticide costs declined by 1 percent each, but seed costs rose by 3 percent.