September 11, 2009

Based on September 1 conditions, Nebraska’s corn crop is forecast at a record high 1.55 billion bushels, 2% above last month and 11% above last year, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.

Yield is forecast at a record high 169 bushels per acre, 3 bushels above last month, 6 bushels above last year, and 3 bushels above the previous high set in 2004. Acres to be harvested for grain, at 9.15 million, are up 7% from a year ago.

Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at 237 million bushels, up 4% from last month and 5% above last year. Yield is forecast at 51 bushels per acre, 4.5 bushels above 2008, tying the record high set in 2007. Acres for harvest, at 4.65 million, are down 4% from a year ago.

Sorghum production in Nebraska is forecast at 14.9 million bushels, unchanged from the August forecast but down 22% from last year. Yield is forecast at 90 bushels per acre, 1 bushel below last year. Acres for harvest, at 165,000, are unchanged from last month but 45,000 below 2008.

Sugarbeet production of 1.16 million tons is down 8% from last month but up
37% from 2008. Yield, at 22.0 tons per acre, is down 0.6 ton from a year ago.