USDA on Aug. 12 predicted U.S. corn production for 2013 at 13.8 billion bushels, up 28 percent from 2012 and a new record for the U.S, if realized. USDA’s Crop Production report says corn yields are expected to average 154.4 bushels/acre based on conditions as of Aug. 1, the highest average yield since 2009 and up some 31 bushels/acre from the drought-ravaged 2012 corn crop.
The report estimates the total corn area harvested for grain this year at 89.1 million acres in the U.S., unchanged from the June forecast but up 2 percent from 2012.
U.S. soybean production is forecast at 3.26 billion bushels, up 8 percent from last year and the third largest on record, if realized. Based on Aug.1 conditions, soybean yields are expected to average 42.6 bushels/acre, up 3 bushels/acre from last year and the fifth highest on record. Soybean area for harvest is forecast at 76.4 million acres, down less than 1 percent from June but up slightly from 2012. USDA estimated the total planted soybean area at 77.2 million acres, down less than 1 percent from June.
All U.S. cotton production is forecast at 13.1 million 480-pound bales, down 25 percent from last year, and cotton yields are expected to average 813 pounds/harvested acre, down 74 pounds/acre from 2012. USDA said U.S. growers expect to harvest 7.70 million acres of all cotton this year, down 18 percent from 2012.
All U.S. wheat production, at 2.11 billion bushels, is up slightly from the July forecast but down 7 percent from 2012. Based on Aug. 1 conditions, USDA estimated the average wheat yield this year at 46.2 bushels/acre, unchanged from last month but down 0.1 bushel/acre from last year.