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The USDA issued August 12 its Crop Production report based on August 1 conditions:

Corn production is forecast at a record high 13.4 billion bushels, up 2 percent from the previous record set in 2009.

Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average a record high 165.0 bushels per acre, up 0.3 bushel from last year's record of 164.7.

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Forecasted yields are higher than last year across the upper Mississippi Valley and upper Great Lakes region where moderate temperatures and adequate soil moisture provided favorable growing conditions.

Expected yields were also higher compared with last year across the southern Great Plains and lower Mississippi Valley.

Yield prospects are lower in both the Atlantic Coast region and Tennessee Valley due to above normal temperatures and dry conditions.

Soybean production is forecast at a record high 3.43 billion bushels, up 2 percent from last year.

Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 44.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from last year’s record high yield.

Compared with last year, yields are forecast higher across the northern tier States, with increases of 4 bushels or more in Minnesota, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

The largest increase in yield from 2009 is expected in Texas, where the yield is forecast to be up 9 bushels from last year.

In addition, increases are expected in the Delta States.

With the exceptions of Illinois and South Carolina, yields are forecast down or unchanged across the central part of the soybean growing region, extending from the central Great Plains to the East Coast and down into the Southeast.

The Mid-Atlantic States are expecting the largest declines from last year, as Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia are all expecting yields to be down more than 10 bushels from 2009 due to very hot and dry weather this summer.

If realized, the forecasted yield in New York will be a record high and the forecasted yield in Arkansas will tie the previous record high.

Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at 78.0 million acres, unchanged from June but up 2 percent from 2009.

All wheat production, at 2.26 billion bushels, is up 2 percent from the July forecast and up 2 percent from 2009.

Based on August 1 conditions, the United States yield is forecast at 46.9 bushels per acre, up 1.0 bushel from last month and 2.5 bushels above last year. If realized, this will be the highest yield on record, 2.0 bushels above 2008.

Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.52 billion bushels, up 1 percent from last month and up slightly from 2009.

The United States yield is forecast at 47.5 bushels per acre, up 0.6 bushel from last month and up 3.3 bushels from last year.

If realized, this will be the second highest yield on record, trailing only 1999. The area expected to be harvested for grain totals 32.1 million acres, unchanged from last month but down 7 percent from last year.

Hard Red Winter, at 1.03 billion bushels, is up 2 percent from a month ago.

Soft Red Winter, at 260 million bushels, is down 3 percent from the previous forecast.

White Winter is up 3 percent from last month and now totals 234 million bushels. Of this total, 18.6 million bushels are Hard White and 215 million bushels are Soft White.

Durum wheat production is forecast at 109 million bushels, up 5 percent from July but down slightly from 2009.

The United States yield is forecast at 42.0 bushels per acre, 2.0 bushels above last month but 2.9 bushels below last year.

If realized, this will be the second highest yield on record, trailing only last year.

Expected area to be harvested for grain totals 2.59 million acres, unchanged from last month but up 7 percent from last year.

Other spring wheat production is forecast at 633 million bushels, up 4 percent last month and 8 percent above last year.

If realized, this will be the third largest production on record, trailing only 1992 and 1996.

The expected area to be harvested for grain totals 13.6 million acres, unchanged from last month but up 5 percent from last year.

The United States yield is forecast at 46.6 bushels per acre, 2.0 bushels above last month and 1.5 bushels above 2009.

If realized, this will be the highest yield on record, 1.5 bushels above the record set last year. Of the total production, 592 million bushels are Hard Red Spring wheat, up 5 percent from last month.

For more information, call 800-727-9540.

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• Full USDA Report
• USDA

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