Crop summary yields lower than previous estimates

WASHINGTON — Corn and soybean yield records were not as widespread in the “I” states as was previously projected in late fall.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2024 crop production summary featured record corn yield averages in Illinois and Iowa and a soybean total production record for Illinois, while the yield records in Indiana that were projected in November didn’t reach fruition.

Illinois Corn

Prairie State farmers had a statewide yield average of 217 bushels per acre, up 11 bushels from 2023 and 3 bushels above the 2022 record. The planted area, at 10.8 million acres, was 400,000 below 2023.

Corn for grain was harvested on 10.65 million acres, also 400,000 lower than 2023. Production is estimated at 2.31 billion bushels, up 2% from last year.

Illinois Soybeans

The average soybean yield is estimated at 64 bushels per acre, up a bushel from each of the past two years and 1 bushel below the 2021 record.

Illinois set a record for planted and harvested acres and total production. The 10.8 million acres planted were up 4% from last year’s 10.35 million.

Harvested area, at 10.75 million acres, is 4% above the previous year. Production is estimated at 688 million bushels compared to 648.9 million bushels in 2023.

Indiana Corn

The average statewide yield is estimated at 198 bushels per acre, 5 below last year’s record. Production reached 999.9 million bushels after topping the 1 billion mark a year ago.

Planted area for all purposes was 5.2 million and there were 5.05 million harvested acres, 260,000 below 2023.

Indiana Soybeans

The state’s soybean yield averaged 59 bushels per acre, 2 below the record set last year. Indiana producers planted 5.8 million acres of soybeans, harvesting 5.78 million, 300,000 above last year.

Total production reached 341.02 million bushels, 6.7 million higher than 2023.

Iowa Corn

Iowa’s corn for grain yield was estimated at a record average of 211 bushels per acre, 10 bushels above 2023 and 7 better than the 2021 record.

Corn for grain production in Iowa for 2024 was estimated at 2.63 billion bushels compared to the previous year’s 2.52 billion bushels.

Area harvested for grain was estimated at 12.5 million acres, 100,000 acres below 2023. Corn planted for all purposes in 2024 was estimated at 12.9 million acres.

Iowa Soybeans

The Iowa soybean crop yielded 60 bushels per acre in 2024, 2 above 2023. Soybean production was estimated at 598 million bushels in 2024, up from last year’s 573 million bushels.

The harvested acreage of 9.96 million was 80,000 acres higher than 2023. Soybean planted acreage, at 10.1 million, was up 100,000 acres from 2023.

U.S. Corn

Corn for grain production in the United States was estimated at 14.9 billion bushels, down 3% from the 2023 estimate.

The nation’s average corn was estimated at a record high 179.3 bushels per acre, 2 bushels above the 2023 yield of 177.3 bushels per acre. Estimated yields in 2024 were up from the previous year across a majority of the Corn Belt.

Corn planted area, at 90.6 million acres, was down 4% from the 2023 estimate. Area harvested for grain was estimated at 82.9 million acres, down 4% from the 2023 estimate.

U.S. Soybeans

The nation’s soybeans averaged 50.7 bushels per acre, 0.1 bushel above 2023. Production in 2024 totaled 4.37 billion bushels, up 5% from 2023.

U.S. planted area was 87.1 million acres, was up 4% from the 2023 planted acreage. Soybean growers harvested 86.1 million acres.

Record high planted and harvested acreage was estimated in Illinois, Kentucky and New York.

Record high yields occurred in Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi. Record high production was harvested in Illinois, Mississippi and New York.