Corn is grown in nearly every area of the state with the highest density of corn acreage in the
central section. Planting may begin as early as the 15th of April in Southern Illinois and the 1st
of May in Northern Illinois.
In areas of dairy production, such as around St. Louis and in the Northern tier of counties, corn is
primarily used for feed grain. In the central part of the state corn may be processed for oil,
sweeteners, and corn meal or shipped to feed grain or export markets. Only about 120,000 acres of
corn is ensiled, and most of that is in the dairy region of the state. Much of the state also has
extensive seed corn production fields, which is affected by pests with the same frequency as grain
corn. However, commercial seed corn production fields are more intensely scouted and a higher level
of management is used to control pests.
Because most farmland is in the state is owned by landlords, there is little tolerance for poorly
managed fields. This is further exacerbated by the level terrain of much of the state and the ease
with which uneven stands or weeds can be seen. This low tolerance often drives farmers to maintain
exceptionally clean and aesthetic fields.
There is currently a great deal of controversy over the marketability of grain with GMO traits. In
1999, with over 30 percent of all corn bearing at least one GMO trait, this has come to be a
significant concern. 
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