USDA today forecast 2013 corn production at 14.0 billion bushels, up 1 percent from the previous forecast and up 30 percent from 2012. If realized, this will be a new record production for the United States. Based on conditions as of Nov. 1, yields are expected to average 160.4 bushels per acre, up 5.1 bushels from the previous forecast and 37.0 bushels above the 2012 average. If realized, this will be the highest average yield since 2009. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 87.2 million acres, down 2 percent from the previous forecast and down slightly from 2012.
Soybean production is forecast at 3.26 billion bushels, up 3 percent from the previous forecast and up 7 percent from last year. If realized, production will be the third largest on record. Based on Nov. 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 43.0 bushels per acre, up 1.8 bushels from the previous forecast and up 3.2 bushels from 2012. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at 75.7 million acres, down 1 percent from both the previous forecast and last year.
All cotton production is forecast at 13.1 million 480-pound bales, up 2 percent from the September forecast but down 24 percent from last year. Yield is expected to average 808 pounds per harvested acre, up 79 pounds from last year. Upland cotton production is forecast at 12.5 million 480-pound bales, down 25 percent from 2012. Pima cotton production, forecast at 625,500 bales, was carried forward from the previous forecast.