USDA Expecting Larger Corn, Soybean and Cotton Crops

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. farmers are expected to produce larger corn, soybean and cotton crops compared to last year according to the latest Crop Production forecast from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The report, pegs domestic soybean production 5 percent higher than in 2020 (at 4.34 billion bushels) while corn growers are expected to increase production by 4 percent (14.8 billion bushels).

The largest year over year increase however is tied to the 2021 cotton crop as USDA expects a 17.3 million bale crop which would represent an 18 percent year over year increase as yields are projected to fall 47 pounds to right around one and three-quarter bales per acre (800 lb/ac).

Average corn yield is forecast at 174.6 bushels per acre, up 2.6 bushels from last year with record-high yields expected in California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.

Soybean yields are expected to average 50 bushels per acre, down less than one-half a bushel from 2020. If realized, the yields in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas will be record highs.

Wheat production is forecast at 1.7 billion bushels, down 7 percent from last year led by 1.32 billion bushels of winter wheat, a 3 percent reduction.

NASS is now gearing up to conduct its September Agricultural Survey, which will collect final acreage, yield, and production information for wheat, barley, oats, and rye as well as grains and oilseeds stored on farms across the country.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)