Olney, IL, USA / WVLN 740 AM/107.1 FM | CBS Sports Radio Jan 25, 2021 8:25 AM (SPRINGFIELD) Illinois wheat growers averaged 68 bushels per acre for the 2020 crop, up a bushel from the previous year. With 13 entries in the annual Illinois Wheat Association contest, there were several yields above 100 bushels per acre. The contest winner, David Justison of Montgomery County had 126.7 bushels, followed by Dan Rubin of Fayette County at 124.7 bushels and Dale Wehmayer of St. Clair County at 119.4 bushels. All three farmers agree with some key elements involved in growing a good wheat crop, such as preparing a good seedbed and timely seeding, planting from 1.2 to 1.7 million seeds per acre, spreading field residue by discing or tilling ahead of the wheat drill, using treated seed with insecticides and fungicides, and harvesting in a timely manner. If doublecropping to soybeans, farmers should deal with the excess stray either by chopping and spreading or baling. For more, go online to www.illinoiswheat.org.