March 28, 2024

USDA adjusts Illinois, Indiana yields

WASHINGTON — The ‘I’ states saw a few harvested acres and average yield projection adjustments in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Sept. 12 crop production estimates.

Harvested acreage changes were based on data that included the latest certified acres statistics from the Farm Service Agency.

‘I’ Soybeans

Illinois’ average soybean yield was reduced by 2 bushels an acre from last month to 64 bushels per acre. Harvested acres were lowered from 11.1 million in the August report to 10.7 million this month, resulting in total production of 684.8 million bushels, compared to 672.64 million last year.

USDA kept Indiana’s projected average soybean yield at a record 60 bushels per acre. Harvested acres were unchanged at 5.83 million for total production of 349.8 million bushels, if realized. Indiana produced 335.58 million bushels in 2021.

Iowa’s averaged soybean yield was increased by a bushel from last month to 59 bushels per acre. USDA lowered harvested acres from 10.22 million last month to 10.02 million in September. Production is estimated at 591.18 million bushels compared to 621.86 million last year.

‘I’ Corn

USDA hiked Illinois’ average corn yields by 1 bushel from August to 204 bushels per acres, 2 above 2021. Harvested acres were increased from 10.45 million last month to 10.55 million in this report. With 300,000 less harvested acre than in 2021, the Prairie State is forecast to produce just over 2.152 billion bushels after reaching nearly 2.192 billion a year ago.

The statewide average corn yield in Indiana was lowered by 3 bushels from last month to a projected 186 bushels per acre. Harvested area was reduced to 5.05 million acres after the estimate last month of 5.27 million. USDA projected production of 939.3 million bushels. The state produced nearly 1.028 billion bushels in 2021.

USDA shrank Iowa’s average corn yield by 5 bushels from last month to 200 bushels per acre. Harvested acres were unchanged from last month at 12.45 million, resulting in the projected production of 2.49 billion bushels after hitting over 2.552 billion a year ago.

U.S. Corn

Corn production for grain is forecast at 13.9 billion bushels, down 3% from the previous forecast and 8% below 2021.

Based on conditions as of Sept. 1, yields are expected to average 172.5 bushels per harvested acre, 2.9 bushels lower than the previous forecast and down 4.5 bushels from last year.

Total U.S. planted area, at 88.6 million acres, is down 1% from the previous estimate and 5% below 2021. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 80.8 million acres, 1% below the previous forecast and down 5% from the previous year.

U.S. Soybeans

The nation’s soybean production is forecast at 4.38 billion bushels, down 3% from the previous forecast and 1% less than in 2021.

Yields are expected to average 50.5 bushels per acre, down 1.4 bushels from the previous forecast and 0.9 bushel below 2021.

The total planted area of 87.5 million acres is 1% lower than the previous estimate, but up less than 1% from the previous year.

Area harvested for beans in the United States is forecast at 86.6 million acres, down 1% from the previous forecast, but up less than 1% from 2021.

Methodology

Objective yield and farm operator surveys were conducted between Aug. 25 and Sept. 7 to gather information on expected yield as of Sept. 1.

The objective yield surveys for corn and soybeans were conducted in the major producing states that usually account for 75% of the U.S. production.

The farm operator survey was conducted primarily by telephone with some use of mail, internet and personal interviews.

Approximately 7,400 producers were interviewed during the survey period and asked questions about probable yield. These growers will continue to be surveyed throughout the growing season to provide indications of average yields.

Tom Doran

Tom C. Doran

Field Editor