August 10, 2007

Missouri Corn Crop Second Highest On Record

Columbia, MO - “Near normal yields for most Missouri crops are expected this year” said Gene Danekas, Director, Missouri Agricultural Statistics. “The crops have experienced freezing, flooding, and hot weather which has caused much concern so far during the growing season, yet the overall results are encouraging.”

Missouri soybean production is forecast at 165 million bushels based on August 1, 2007 condition, down 15 percent from last year and 26 percent less than the record high production of 2004. If realized, the forecast yield of 37 bushels per acre would be 1 bushel per acre below last year’s yield and the same as 2005. Harvested acres, at 4.45 million, are down 13 percent from last year and the smallest acreage since 1996.

Corn production in Missouri is forecast at 463 million bushels, 28 percent above last year’s crop but 1 percent below the record 2004 crop and the second largest crop on record. The expected yield of 137 bushels per acre is 1 bushel below the 2006 yield and 25 bushels below the record yield set in 2004. Farmers are expecting to harvest 3.38 million acres of the 3.50 million planted acres, 29 percent more than last year and the largest acreage since 1960.

Winter wheat production in Missouri is estimated at 35.7 million bushels, unchanged from the July 1 forecast. The estimated yield of 42 bushels per acre and harvested acres, at 850,000 acres, are also held unchanged.

Grain sorghum production in Missouri is forecast at 9.31 million bushels, up 15 percent from the 2006 production. The expected yield of 98 bushels per acre would be 13 bushels above last year and, while 10 bushels below the 2004 record, the second highest yield on record. Of the 100,000 planted acres, 95,000 acres are expected to be harvested for grain.

All hay production in the State is forecast at 7.04 million tons, 1 percent more than in 2006. A yield of 1.68 tons is forecast, unchanged from 1.68 tons for the last 2 years. Alfalfa hay production is forecast at 960,000 tons from 400,000 acres, with a yield of 2.40 tons per acre. Other hay production is forecast at 6.08 million tons from 3.80 million acres, with a yield of 1.60 tons.

Missouri tobacco production is forecast at 3.57 million pounds, up 6 percent from the 2006 crop. The projected yield of 2,100 pounds would be 150 pounds below last year, while harvested acres, at 1,700 acres, are up 13 percent. Apple production in Missouri is forecast at 5 million pounds, 91 percent below last year’s production of 53 million pounds. Grape production is forecast at 2,800 tons, 33 percent below the 4,170 tons produced in 2005.

United States Corn Crop Highest On Record

Corn production in the U. S. is forecast at 13.1 billion bushels, up 24 percent from last year and 17 percent above 2005. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 152.8 bushels per acre, up 3.7 bushels from last year. If realized, this will be the second highest yield on record, behind the 160.4 bushel yield in 2004. However, production will be the largest on record as growers intend to harvest the most corn acres for grain since 1933.

U. S. Soybean production is forecast at 2.63 billion bushels, down 18 percent from last year's record high and down 14 percent from 2005. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 41.5 bushels per acre, down 1.2 bushels from last year. Area for harvest, at 63.3 million acres, remains unchanged from June but is down 15 percent from 2006.

All cotton production in the U. S. is forecast at 17.3 million 480-pound bales, down 20 percent from last year's 21.6 million bales. Yield is expected to average 783 pounds per harvested acre, down 31 pounds from 2006. Producers expect to harvest 10.6 million acres of all cotton and 10.3 million acres of upland cotton, down 16 percent and 17 percent, respectively. Upland cotton production is forecast at 16.5 million 480-pound bales, 21 percent below 2006.

U. S. winter wheat production is forecast at 1.54 billion bushels. This is down 2 percent from last month but 18 percent above 2006. Yield is forecast at 41.3 bushels per acre, down 0.3 bushel from last month and down 0.4 bushel from last year. The area expected to be harvested for grain totals 37.2 million acres, down 1 percent from last month but up 20 percent from last year.