U.S. growers expect to produce 13 percent less corn than last year

Despite planting the largest number of acres to corn in the past 75 years, growers are forecast to produce 10.8 billion bushels in 2012, down 13 percent from 2011. Based on conditions as of Aug. 1, corn yields are expected to average 123.4 bushels per acre, down 23.8 bushels from last year.

Just as with corn producers, soybean growers are greatly affected by the drought conditions in the United States. This year’s soybean production is forecast at 2.69 billion bushels, down 12 percent from 2011. Soybean yield is expected to average 36.1 bushels per acre, down 5.4 bushels from the 2011 crop.

In contrast to corn and soybeans, all wheat production remains largely unaffected by the drought and is forecast at 2.27 billion bushels, up 13 percent from 2011. Based on Aug. 1 conditions, the yield for all wheat is forecast at 46.5 bushes per acre, up 0.9 bushel from last month, and up 2.8 bushels up from last year. Harvest in the 18 major producing states was 85 percent complete by July 29.

The report also included the first indication for this year’s cotton production. Growers are forecast to produce 17.7 million 480-pound bales this growing season, up 13 percent from 2011. Producers expect to harvest 10.8 million acres of all cotton, up 14 percent from last year. This forecast includes 10.6 million acres of Upland cotton and 233,400 acres of Pima cotton.

NASS interviewed more than 28,000 producers across the country in preparation for this report. The agency also conducted field and lab measurements on corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton in the major producing states, which usually account for about 75 percent of the U.S. production. NASS is also gearing up to conduct its September Agricultural Survey, which will focus on wheat, barley, oats and rye growers. That survey will take place during the first two weeks of September.

The Crop Production report is published monthly and is available online at www.nass.usda.gov. Here is the new report:

U.S. Crop Report

Released August 10, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Corn Production Down 13 Percent from 2011
Soybean Production Down 12 Percent from 2011
Cotton Production Up 13 Percent from 2011
Winter Wheat Production Up 1 Percent from July Forecast

Corn production is forecast at 10.8 billion bushels, down 13 percent from 2011 and the lowest production since 2006. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 123.4 bushels per acre, down 23.8 bushels from 2011. If realized, this will be the lowest average yield since 1995. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 87.4 million acres, down 2 percent from the June forecast but up 4 percent from 2011.

Soybean production is forecast at 2.69 billion bushels, down 12 percent from last year. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 36.1 bushels per acre, down 5.4 bushels from last year. If realized, the average yield will be the lowest since 2003. Area for harvest is forecast at 74.6 million acres, down 1 percent from June but up 1 percent from 2011.

All cotton production is forecast at 17.7 million 480-pound bales, up 13 percent from last year. Yield is expected to average 784 pounds per harvested acre, down 6 pounds from last year. Upland cotton production is forecast at 17.0 million 480-pound bales, up 15 percent from 2011. Pima cotton production, forecast at 663,000 bales, is down 22 percent from last year. Producers expect to harvest 10.8 million acres of all cotton, up 14 percent from 2011. This harvested total includes 10.6 million acres of Upland cotton and 233,400 acres of Pima cotton.

All wheat production, at 2.27 billion bushels, is up 2 percent from the July forecast and up 13 percent from 2011. Based on August 1 conditions, the United States yield is forecast at 46.5 bushels per acre, up 0.9 bushel from last month and up 2.8 bushels from last year.

Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.68 billion bushels, up 1 percent from July and up 13 percent from 2011. Based on August 1 conditions, the United States yield is forecast at a record high 48.0 bushels per acre, up 0.3 bushel from last month and 1.8 bushels higher than last year. The area expected to be harvested for grain or seed totals 35.0 million acres, unchanged from last month but up 8 percent from last year.

Hard Red Winter, at 1.01 billion bushels, is up slightly from a month ago. Soft Red Winter production is up 1 percent from the previous forecast and now totals 435 million bushels. White Winter production totals 236 million bushels, up 2 percent from last month. Of this total, 13.9 million bushels are Hard White and 222 million bushels are Soft White.

Durum wheat production is forecast at 86.0 million bushels, up 5 percent from July and up 70 percent from 2011. The United States yield is forecast at 40.5 bushels per acre, up 1.9 bushels from last month and up 2.0 bushels from last year. Expected area to be harvested for grain totals 2.12 million acres, unchanged from last month, but up 62 percent from last year.

Other spring wheat production is forecast at 500 million bushels, up 6 percent from the July forecast and up 10 percent from last year. Area harvested for grain is expected to total 11.7 million acres, unchanged from last month but down 3 percent from last year. The United States yield is forecast at 42.8 bushels per acre, up 2.4 bushels from last month and 5.1 bushels above 2011. Of the total production, 463 million bushels are Hard Red Spring Wheat, up 6 percent from last month and up 16 percent from last year.