Indiana Ag Connection - Indiana Corn Production Up; Soybean, Wheat Production Down

Indiana Ag News Headlines

Indiana Corn Production Up; Soybean, Wheat Production Down
Indiana Ag Connection - 09/14/2009

Based on conditions September 1, Indiana's 2009 corn production is forecast at 903.0 million bushels, up 3 percent from the 873.6 million bushels produced in 2008. The expected yield of 163 bushels per acre is up 3 bushels from last year. The 5.54 million acres for harvest is 1 percent above the acreage harvested last year, but unchanged from the August estimate. As of September 6, corn condition was rated 63 percent good to excellent.

Soybean production is forecast at 235.6 million bushels, down 4 percent from the 244.4 million bushels produced in 2008. The expected yield of 43 bushels per acre is down 2 bushels from last year. The acreage expected to be harvested for beans, at 5.48 million acres, is up 1 percent from 2008, but unchanged from the August estimate. As of September 6, soybean condition was rated 63 percent good to excellent.

U.S. corn production is forecast at 13.0 billion bushels, up 2 percent from last month and 7 percent higher than 2008. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average 161.9 bushels per acre, up 2.4 bushels from August and 8.0 bushels above last year. If realized, this will be the highest yield on record and production will be the second largest, behind 2007. Yield forecasts increased from last month across the western Corn Belt and the northern half of the Great Plains as mild temperatures and adequate soil moisture supplies provided favorable growing conditions. Yield prospects were unchanged in the eastern Corn Belt where dry conditions during August depleted soil moisture supplies.

National soybean production is forecast at a record high 3.25 billion bushels, up 1 percent from the August forecast and up 10 percent from last year. Based on September 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 42.3 bushels per acre, up 0.6 bushel from last month and up 2.7 bushels from 2008. If realized, this will be the third highest yield on record. Compared with last month, yields are forecast higher or unchanged in all States except Indiana, where the yield is expected to be down 2 bushels. The largest increases in yield from the August forecast are expected in Alabama and Maryland, up 5 and 6 bushels, respectively. If realized, the forecasted yield in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi will be a record high and the forecasted yield in Nebraska, North Carolina, and Ohio will tie the previous record high. Area for harvest in the U.S. is forecast at 76.8 million acres, up slightly from June and up 3 percent from 2008.