March 29, 2024

USDA production estimates reflect impact of derecho in Corn Belt

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture took its first crack at measuring the level of crop damage across a large swath of central Iowa from the violent windstorm that struck the Midwest Aug. 10.

In the Sept. 11 crop production report, USDA lowered Iowa’s projected average corn yield from 202 bushels per acre in the previous estimate to 191 bushels per acre. If realized, the corn king’s production would drop from 2.737 billion last month to 2.483 billion bushels this month. Iowa produced 2.584 billion bushels of corn in 2019.

“In response to the derecho experienced on Aug. 10, the National Agricultural Statistics Service collected harvested acreage information for corn and soybeans in Iowa. Based on this additional data, NASS lowered corn harvested for grain area by 550,000 acres. Soybean acres were unchanged,” USDA noted in the crop production report.

“Since many producers indicated they were still finalizing decisions regarding some of the impact acres, NASS will collect harvested acreage for corn and soybeans in Iowa for the October crop production report.”

Average corn yields were also lowered in Illinois and Indiana from the previous report.

USDA put Illinois’ average corn yield at 203 bushels per acre, down 4 from last month. The 10.7 million anticipated harvested acres is projected to produce 2.172 billion bushels, up from last year’s 1.846 billion.

Indiana’s is projected to have an average corn yield of 186 bushels per acre, 2 lower than in August. USDA estimates 5.25 million harvested acres of corn in Indiana for total production of 977 million bushels. The Hoosier State produced nearly 814.6 million bushels last year.

‘I’ State Soybeans

Illinois, the nation’s top soybean-producing state, has an estimated yield average of 62 bushels per acre, 2 below the previous estimate and 8 higher than last year, the USDA reported. A projected 10.35 million harvested acres is estimated to produce nearly 642 million bushels.

Indiana’s projected average soybean yield was reduced by 1 bushel from last month to 60 bushels per acre, 9 higher than in 2019. The state’s 5.68 million harvested acres could produce nearly 341 million bushels.

USDA reduced Iowa’s estimated soybean yield average by 4 bushels to 54 bushels per acre. If realized, 9.32 million acres would produce just over 503 million bushels.

National Estimates

U.S. corn production for grain is forecast at 14.9 billion bushels, down 2% from the August forecast, but up 9% from 2019.

Based on conditions as of Sept. 1, yields are expected to average a record high 178.5 bushels per harvested acre, down 3.3 bushels from the previous forecast, but up 11.1 bushels from last year.

Area harvested for grain is forecast at 83.5 million acres, down 1% from the previous forecast, but up 3% from the previous year.

The nation’s soybean production is forecast at 4.31 billion bushels, 3% lower than the August from the previous forecast, but up 21% from last year.

Based on conditions as of Sept. 1, yields are expected to average a record high 51.9 bushels per harvested acre, down 1.4 bushels from the previous forecast, but up 4.5 bushels from 2019.

Area harvested for soybeans in the United States is forecast at 83 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast, but up 11% from 2019.