USDA lowers Illinois, Indiana corn estimates

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture pulled back from its previously projected record soybean yield in Indiana and record average corn yield in Illinois in the Nov. 9 crop production report.

The USDA estimates are based on a farm operator survey conducted Oct. 24-Nov. 4 primarily by telephone with some use of mail, internet and personal interviewers. Approximately 6,800 producers were interviewed during the survey period and asked questions about probable yield.

‘I’ State Corn

Illinois’ projected average corn yield was lowered to 207 bushels per acre, down 3 bushels from last month’s record forecast and 16 bushels higher than 2020. Production is forecast at nearly 2.24 billion bushels compared to over 2.12 billion bushels last year. Harvested area is forecast at 10.8 million acres, down from the 11.1 million acres in 2020.

The Indiana corn yield is expected to match the 2018 record of 189 bushels per acre, 2 bushels higher than last year’s yield, but down 5 bushels from last month’s forecast. Total production is expected to be 992.25 million bushels, up from 2020′s 981.75 million bushels. Harvested acres are estimated at 5.25 million, matching last year’s total.

Iowa’s corn yield average is estimated at 201 bushels per acre, unchanged from the October forecast and up 24 bushels from last year. Harvested acres for grain is projected at 12.45 million acres after harvesting 12.9 million acres a year ago. Production is forecast at just over 2.502 billion bushels. Iowa produced over 2.283 billion bushels in 2020.

‘I’ State Soybeans

Based on Nov. 1 conditions, the Illinois average soybean yield is forecast at a record 64 bushels per acre, up 4 bushels from 2020, unchanged from the October estimate and one-half bushel above the 2018 record. Harvested area, forecast at 10.55 million acres, up from 2020′s 10.25 million acres. Production is forecast at a record 675.2 million bushels compared to 615 million bushels produced in 2020.

The Indiana average soybean yield is forecast at 57 bushels per acre, down 2 bushels from 2020 and 3 bushels lower than the record forecast last month. Indiana soybean production is expected to total 324.33 million bushels, after producing below 338.07 million bushels in 2020. The anticipated harvest area is 5.69 million acres compared to 5.73 million acres last year.

The Iowa soybean yield is forecast at a record 60 bushels per acre, down 1 bushel per acre from the October forecast, but up 6 bushels per acre from 2020. Soybean harvested acreage is estimated at 10.02 million acres after harvesting 9.37 million acres in 2020. Production is forecast at 601.2 million bushels after harvesting 505.98 million bushels a year ago.

Nationwide

Based on conditions as of Nov. 1, corn yields are expected to average a record high 177 bushels per harvested acre, up 0.5 bushel from the previous forecast and 5.6 bushels higher than last year’s final estimate.

U.S. corn production for grain is forecast at 15.1 billion bushels, up less than 1% from the previous forecast and 7% higher than 2020. If realized, this would be the second highest production on record.

Area harvested for grain is forecast at 85.1 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast, but up 3% from the previous year.

Soybean yields are projected to average 51.2 bushels per acre, down 0.3 bushel from the previous forecast, but up 0.2 bushel from last year.

U.S. soybean production is forecast at 4.42 billion bushels, down 1% from the previous forecast, but up 5% from last year.

Area harvested for soybeans is forecast at 86.4 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast, but up 5% from 2020.

If realized, this would be the second highest soybean yield and production on record for the United States.