USDA forecasts higher winter wheat yields

WASHINGTON — U.S. winter wheat production is forecast at 1.28 billion bushels, a 10% increase over last year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s crop production report projects the nation’s winter wheat to average 52.1 bushels per acre, up 1.2 bushels from 2020, based on conditions as of May 1. If realized, this would be the third highest yield on record.

Area expected to be harvested for grain is forecast at 24.6 million acres, up 7% from last year. Hard red winter harvested acreage is up about 6% from 2020. Soft red winter harvested acreage is expected to be 17% higher than last year.

The Illinois winter wheat yield is forecast at 74 bushels per acre, 6 bushels above 2020. Harvested area is estimated at 650,000 acres up 130,000 acres from the previous year. USDA projects production of 48.1 million bushels, a 36% hike over 2020.

Indiana’s winter wheat is forecast to average 74 bushels per acre compared to 70 in 2020. The harvested of 300,000 acres is 50,000 more than last year, and production is projected at 22.2 million bushels, 4.7 million more than 2020.

The USDA reported that as of May 2, 48% of the winter wheat acreage in the 18 major producing states was rated in good to excellent condition, 7% lower than at the same time last year. Nationally, 27% of the winter wheat crop was headed by May 2, 7% below the five-year average pace.