Nebraska corn crop drops 15% from last year - UNL CropWatch, Oct. 11, 2012

Nebraska corn crop drops 15% from last year - UNL CropWatch, Oct. 11, 2012

October 11, 2012

Based on October 1 conditions, Nebraska’s corn crop is forecast at 1.30 billion bushels, down 2% from last month and down 15% from last year, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Yield is forecast at 142 bushels per acre, down 3 bushels from last month and 18 bushels below last year. Harvested acreage was increased by 50,000 acres to 9.15 million, but is still 5% below a year ago.

Nationally, corn production is forecast at 10.7 billion bushels, down slightly from the September forecast and down 13% from 2011. This represents the lowest production in the United States since 2006. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 122.0 bushels per acre, down 0.8 bushel from the September forecast and 25.2 bushels below the 2011 average. If realized, this will be the lowest average yield since 1995. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 87.7 million acres, up less than 1% from the September forecast and up 4% from 2011.

Soybean production is forecast at 203 million bushels, up 1% from September but down 22% from last year. Yield is forecast at 41 bushels per acre, up 1 bushel from last month and the lowest since 2003. Area for harvest was decreased 50,000 acres to 4.95 million, up 2% from 2011.

Nationally, soybean production is forecast at 2.86 billion bushels, up 9% from September but down 8% from last year. Based on October 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 37.8 bushels per acre, up 2.5 bushels from last month but down 4.1 bushels from last year. Compared with last month, yield forecasts are higher or unchanged across all states. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at 75.7 million acres, up 1% from September and up 3% from last year.

Sorghum production is forecast at 3.48 million bushels, down 22% from last month due to a decrease in harvested acres. This production is 47% below a year ago and the smallest since 1953. Yield, at 58 bushels per acre, is up 2 bushels from the previous month but 36 bushels below last year. Harvested acreage was decreased 20,000 acres to 60,000, down 10,000 acres from last year and smallest since 1937.

Sunflower production is down 58% due to reduced acreage and yield from a year ago making this the lowest total since 2002.

Dry edible bean production is up 45% from last year due to an increase in acres and higher yield.

Sugarbeet production is up 18% from 2011, a result of a record high yield.

Alfalfa hay production is forecast to be 30% lower and all other hay production is expected to be down 29% from a year ago.

Acreage updates to planted and harvested acres from levels published in the September Crop Production Report were made based on a review of administrative data.

For more information see the national October 1 report.
 

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