USDA Reports Record High Corn Production

The USDA released its lates Crop Production Report on Wednesday.

The forecasts was based on conditions as of August 1. Any potential impacts from severe weather that occurred after August 1 will be reflected in future reports.

• Corn Production Up 12 Percent from 2019
• Soybean Production Up 25 Percent from 2019
• Cotton Production Down 9 Percent from 2019
• Winter Wheat Production Down 2 Percent from July Forecast

Corn production for grain is forecast at a record high 15.3 billion bushels, up 12 percent from 2019. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average a record high 181.8 bushels per harvested acre, up 14.4 bushels from last year. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 84.0 million acres, unchanged from the June forecast, but up 3 percent from the previous year.

Soybean production for beans is forecast at 4.42 billion bushels, up 25 percent from 2019. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average a record high 53.3 bushels per harvested acre, up 5.9 bushels from 2019. Area harvested for beans in the United States is forecast at 83.0 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 11 percent from 2019.

All cotton production is forecast at 18.1 million 480-pound bales, down 9 percent from 2019. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average a record high 938 pounds per harvested acre, up 115 pounds from 2019. Upland cotton production is forecast at 17.5 million 480-pound bales, down 9 percent from 2019. Pima cotton production is forecast at 554,500 bales, down 19 percent from 2019. All cotton area harvested is forecast at 9.25 million acres, down 20 percent from 2019. Special Note The forecasts in this report are based on conditions as of August 1. Any potential impacts from severe weather that occurred after August 1 will be reflected in future reports. 2 Crop Production (August 2020) USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

All wheat production for grain is forecast at 1.84 billion bushels, up 1 percent from the previous forecast but down 4 percent from 2019. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 50.1 bushels per harvested acre, up 0.4 bushel from the previous forecast, but down 1.6 bushels from 2019. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 36.7 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast, but down 1 percent from 2019.

Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.20 billion bushels, down 2 percent from the July 1 forecast and down 8 percent from 2019. As of August 1, the United States yield is forecast at 51.1 bushels per acre, down 0.9 bushel from last month and down 2.5 bushels from last year’s average yield of 53.6 bushels per acre. The area expected to be harvested for grain or seed totals 23.4 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast, but down 4 percent from last year.

Hard Red Winter production, at 695 million bushels, is down 2 percent from last month. Soft Red Winter, at 277 million bushels, is down 1 percent from the July forecast. White Winter, at 226 million bushels, is down less than 1 percent from last month. Of the White Winter production, 14.6 million bushels are Hard White and 212 million bushels are Soft White.

Durum wheat production is forecast at 61.8 million bushels, up 11 percent from the previous forecast and up 15 percent from 2019. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 42.8 bushels per harvested acre, up 4.3 bushels from the previous forecast but down 2.9 bushels from 2019. Area expected to be harvested for grain or seed totals 1.44 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast, but up 23 percent from 2019.

Other spring wheat production for grain is forecast at 577 million bushels, up 5 percent from the previous forecast and up 3 percent from last year. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 49.0 bushels per harvested acre, up 2.4 bushels from the previous forecast, and up 0.8 bushel from 2019. If realized, a record high yield is expected for the United States. Area harvested for grain or seed is expected to total 11.8 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast, but 1 percent above 2019. Of the total production, 530 million bushels are Hard Red Spring wheat, up 2 percent from 2019.