Here are the latest stats and figures on the major grain crops from the USDA.
The highlights are: corn is down two percent and soybeans are up one.
Corn production is forecast at a record 13.2 billion bushels, down 2 percent from the August forecast, but up from the previous record of 13.1 billion bushels set in 2009. Expect Yields to average 162.5 bushels per acre. This is lower, by about 2.5 bpa, than both last months projections and last year’s average.
- Forecasted yields are lower in the Corn Belt, Tennessee Valley, and Delta.
- Yields were up from August in the deep South.
Soybean production is forecast at a record high 3.48 billion bushels, up 1 percent from August and 4 percent above last year. Expect soybean yields to average a record high 44.7 bushels per acre.
- Compared with last month, yields are forecast higher or unchanged across the central and northern Corn Belt, with the exception of Michigan.The largest increases in yield from last month are in Maryland and Virginia, both up 4 bushels.
- Projected yields are lower everywhere else except Louisiana and the Carolinas.
- The largest decline is in Oklahoma
- If realized, the forecasted yield in Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, and North Dakota will be a record high.
Come back Monday for my analysis of where all of this will drive corn numbers on Monday, my soybean report will be out Tuesday, and wheat on Wednesday. Don’t forget, for the latest information and analysis, complete with firm dates and prices and marketing recommendations for new and old crop grains, sign up for a FREE! trial subscription to our daily newsletters.
And just so you know we’re paying attention, cotton is up 55% compared with last year. It’s amazing what a little rain can do across the delta and deep south. Yield is expected to increase 62 pounds per acre compared with last year. And California navel orange production for the 2010-2011 season is forecast up 17 percent from last season.