USDA hikes record yield projections

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects record corn and soybean yield averages in the “I” states and nationwide, based on Sept. 1 crop conditions.

Illinois

USDA lowered the estimated Prairie State corn yield by 3 bushels from the August projection to an average of 222 bushels per acre, 8 bushels above the 2022 record if it becomes a reality in the combine. The state average was 206 bushels per acre in 2023.

Corn production is projected at just over 2.364 billion bushels from 10.65 million acres, compared to over 2.276 bushels from 11.05 million acres last year.

Soybeans are projected to average 65 bushels per acre, matching the 2021 record, a bushel below the August estimate and 2 better than a year ago.

USDA put Illinois’ soybean harvested acres at 10.74 million for an anticipated production of 698.75 million bushels, compared to 10.3 million harvested acres in 2023 and 648.9 million bushels produced.

Indiana

A 210-bushel per acre corn yield is projected in Indiana, breaking last year’s high water mark of 203. The forecast is 3 bushels higher than the August report.

Harvested acres of 5.06 million are estimated to produce nearly 1.063 billion bushels. The state produced nearly 1.078 billion bushels of corn on 5.31 million acres in 2023.

USDA increased Indiana’s soybean estimated average 1 bushel from last month to a record 63 bushels per acre, 2 bushels above the 2023 record.

Harvested soybean acres of 5.78 million would produce 364.14 million bushels. Indiana put 334.28 million bushels through the combine last year from 5.48 million acres.

Iowa

A record average corn yield of 212 bushels per acre is forecast in Iowa, surpassing the 2021 high of 204. If realized, the yield would be 11 bushels higher than last year and 3 above the August prediction.

The projected harvested area of 12.35 million acres is anticipated to produce over 2.618 billion bushels. Iowa produced nearly 2.523 billion bushels from 12.55 million acres in 2023.

Based on Sept. 1 conditions, USDA anticipates Iowa will tie its 2021 record with an average soybean yield of 63 bushels per acre, 5 above last year and 2 higher than last month’s estimate.

With its 9.97 million harvested acres, Iowa is projected to produce 628.11 million bushels of soybeans. The state hauled in 573.04 million bushels last year across 9.88 million acres.

Nationwide

Based on conditions as of Sept. 1, the U.S. average corn yield is forecast at 183.6 bushels per acre, up 0.5 bushels from the previous forecast and 6.3 bushels above last year’s record high final estimate of 177.3 bushels per acre.

The 2024 area harvested for grain is forecast at 82.7 million acres, unchanged from the previous estimate, but down 4% from last year’s 86.5 million.

Corn production for grain nationwide is forecast at 15.2 billion bushels, up less than 1% from the previous forecast, but down 1% from the 15.342 billion in 2023.

Record high corn yields are also forecast in Louisiana, at 191 bushels per acre; Michigan, 182; Mississippi, 190; Nebraska, 195; New York, 168; South Dakota, 163; and Wisconsin, 182.

USDA forecasts a record national average soybean yield of 53.2, up 2.6 bushels from last year’s record.

U.S. soybean production is forecast at a record 4.59 billion bushels, down slightly from the previous estimate, but up 10% from last year.

Acreage harvested for soybeans is projected at 86.3 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast, but up 5% from last year’s 82.356 million.

If realized, the forecasted soybean yield will also be a record high in Arkansas, at 55 bushels per acre; Mississippi, 58; New York, 53; and Texas, 39.