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Editor’s Note: This is a monthly column from the Northeastern Regional Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS-NERFO). The website is www.nass.usda.gov; for the reports mentioned below, click on the “Publications” tab.
USDA forecasts U.S. corn production down from 2023
The Crop Production report issued Aug. 12 forecasted corn production down from 2023 and soybean production up from last year. Corn production is down 1% from last year, forecast at 15.1 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to increase their production 10% from 2023, forecast at a record high 4.59 billion bushels.
Average corn yield is forecast at a record high 183.1 bushels per acre, up 5.8 bushels from last year. NASS forecasts record high yields in Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. As of Aug. 4, 67% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good to excellent condition, 10 percentage points above the same time last year.
Soybean yields are expected to average a record high 53.2 bushels per acre, up 2.6 bushels from 2023. If realized, the forecasted yields in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio will be record highs.
Wheat production is forecast at 1.98 billion bushels, up 9% from 2023. Growers are expected to produce 1.36 billion bushels of winter wheat this year, up 9% from last year. Durum wheat production is forecast at 76.9 million bushels, up 30% from 2023. All other spring wheat production is forecast at 544 million bushels, up 8% from last year.
NASS is now gearing up to conduct its September Agricultural Survey, which will collect final acreage, yield, and production information for wheat, barley, oats, and rye, as well as grains and oilseeds stored on farms across the country. That survey will take place during the first two weeks of September.
Northeastern region crop forecasts
The complete “Crop Production” report is at www.nass.usda.gov by clicking on “Publications” tab or call us at 1-800-727-9540.
Aug. 1 field crop forecasts are based on the June Acreage report combined with results of the monthly first-of-the-month Ag Yield surveys conducted throughout the growing season. Stay tuned for the Sept. 12 crop report for the corn and beans update as of Sept. 1.
Pennsylvania – Corn production is forecast at 91.1 million bushels, down 15% from 2023. Based on conditions as of Aug. 1, yields are forecast to average 135 bushels per acre, 22.0 bushels below the 2023 average. Oat production is forecast at 2.54 million bushels, down 12% from the previous year. Based on crop conditions as of Aug. 1, the oat yield is forecast at 59.0 bushels per acre, down 4 bushels from the July 1 forecast, and down 2 bushels from last year’s final yield. Alfalfa production is forecast at 756 thousand tons, down 7% from 2023. Based on Aug. 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 2.80 tons, down 0.20 ton from last year. All other hay production is forecast at 2.33 million tons, down 4% from 2023. Based on Aug. 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 2.45 tons per acre, down 0.15 ton from the previous year. Soybean production is forecast at 27.0 million bushels, up 3% from last year. Based on Aug. 1 conditions, yield is forecast at 45.0 bushels per acre, down 2.0 bushels from last year. Apple production is forecast at 510 million pounds, 8% below the previous year; with peach production forecast at 16.0 thousand tons, down 9% from 2023.