August 11, 2006

Corn forecast down 4%, soybean down 8% from last year

Area to be harvested for grain, at 7.95 million acres, is down 4% from a year ago. Yield is forecast at 153 bushels per acre, 1 bushel below last year and 13 bushels below the record high set in 2004.

“Dryland corn yields are lower than last year due to drought conditions in many counties; however, irrigated yield potential is excellent.” said Mark Harris, director of the Nebraska Field Office.

Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at 216 million bushels, 8% below last year’s record high. Area for harvest, at 4.8 million acres, is second highest on record behind the 4.9 million acres of 2001. Yield is forecast at 45 bushels per acre, down 5.5 bushels from last year.

Nebraska's 2006 winter wheat crop is forecast at 54.5 million bushels, down 3% from last month’s forecast and 21% below last year’s crop. Area for grain, at 1.65 million acres, is unchanged from last month. Yield is forecast at 33 bushels per acre, down 1 bushel from last month and 6 bushels below last year.

Sorghum yield is forecast at 73 bushels per acre, down 14 bushels from last year. Production forecast at 21.9 million bushels is 1% above a year ago, a result of 20% more area for harvest. Oat yield is forecast at 39 bushels per acre, the lowest in 17 years. Production forecast, at 1.76 million bushels, is the lowest on record. Dry edible bean production is down 24% from last year due to fewer acres planted. Sugarbeet production is up 29% from 2005 resulting from an increased planted acreage. Alfalfa hay production is forecast to be down 4% from last year and all other hay production is down 15% due to lower yields.