September 14, 2007

USDA: Nebraska’s 2007 Corn and Soybean Yields At Record Highs

Yield is forecast at 174 bushels per acre, highest on record, 6 bushels above last month, and 22 bushels above a year ago. The previous record high yield of 166 bushels per acres was set in 2004. Area to be harvested for grain remained at 8.7 million acres, up 12% from a year ago.

“Field counts have indicated a record high plant population and ear count. This combined with improved moisture conditions from a year ago have boosted yield prospects,” said Joseph Parsons, Director of the Nebraska Field Office.

Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at 205 million bushels, up 4% from last month but 18% below last year. Acres for harvest, at 3.95 million, are unchanged from last month and down over 1 million acres from a year ago. Yield is forecast at a record high 52 bushels per acre, up 2 bushels per acre from August and 2 bushels above 2006. The previous record high of 50.5 bushels per acre was set in 2005. Near record high pods per acre have pushed yield potential.

Sorghum production in Nebraska is forecast at 14.7 million bushels, up 3% from the August forecast but down 23% from last year. Acres for harvest, at 150,000, are unchanged and down 38% from the previous year. Yield forecast, at 98 bushels per acre, is up 3 bushels from the previous month, 18 bushels from last year, and equals the record high set in 1994.

Sugarbeet production of 1.04 million tons is up 7% from last month but down 23% from 2006 due to fewer acres planted this year. Yield, at 23.3 tons per acre, is up 1.8 tons from last month and equal to a year ago.