Nebraska Corn, Soybean and Dry Bean Production Forecast to Hit Record Highs

Soybean and corn fields

Nebraska Corn, Soybean and Dry Bean Production Forecast to Hit Record Highs

Based on August 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2017 corn production is forecast at a record high 1.74 billion bushels, up 2% from last year's production, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Acreage harvested for grain is estimated at 9.50 million acres, down 1% from a year ago. Average yield is forecast at 183 bushels per acre, up 5 bushels from last year.

US corn production is forecast at 14.2 billion bushels, down 7% from last year. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 169.5 bushels per acre, down 5.1 bushels from 2016. If realized, this will be the third highest yield and production on record for the United States. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 83.5 million acres, unchanged from the June forecast but down 4% from 2016.

Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at a record high of 328 million bushels, up 4% from last year. Area for harvest, at 5.65 million acres, is up 10% from 2016. Yield is forecast at 58 bushels per acre, down 3 bushels from last year.

US soybean production is forecast at 4.38 billion bushels, up 2% from last year. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 49.4 bushels per acre, down 2.7 bushels from last year. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at a record high 88.7 million acres, unchanged from the June forecast but up 7% from 2016. Soybean area was estimated at a record high 89.5 million acres, also unchanged from June.

Nebraska's 2017 winter wheat crop is forecast at 46 million bushels, down 35% from last year. Harvested area for grain, at 1.0 million acres, is down 24% from last year. Average yield is forecast at 46 bushels per acre, down 8 bushels per acre from 2016.

Sorghum production, of 10.1 million bushels, is down 43% from a year ago. Area for grain harvest, at 110,000 acres, is down 37% from last year. Yield is forecast at 92 bushels per acre, down 10 bushels from last year.

Oat production is forecast at 1.50 million bushels, unchanged from last year. Harvested area for grain, at 25,000 acres, is unchanged from last year. Yield is forecast at 60 bushels per acre, unchanged from 2016.

Dry edible bean production is forecast at 4.37 million cwt, up 58% from last year. The average yield is forecast at a record high of 2,570 pounds per acre, up 300 pounds from last year. Acres planted by class are as follows: Pinto, 98,000; Great Northern, 56,000; Black, 8,600; Light Red Kidney, 11,000; Chickpeas, 5,200; All Other, 6,200.

Sugarbeet production is forecast at 1.57 million tons, up 11% from 2016. Area for harvest, at 48,400 acres, is up 1,200 acres from last year. Yield is estimated at a record high of 32.4 tons per acre, up 2.5 tons from a year ago.

Alfalfa hay production is forecast at 2.93 million tons, down 6% from last year. Expected yield, at 3.80 tons per acre, is down 0.35 ton from last year. All other hay production is forecast at 2.21 million tons, down 16% from last year. Forecasted yield, at 1.30 tons per acre, is down 0.25 ton from last year.

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A field of corn.