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Corn and Soybean Acreage & Production Update

Madison,WI (USDA Release) November 12,2009 --Cool summer temperatures combined with intervals of dry and wet soil conditions delayed corn maturity. Wisconsin weather during the last month has not accelerated maturity, as the corn crop reached maturity slower than both last year and the 5-year average. Wet weather throughout October delayed corn harvest and kept moisture levels high. As of November 1, corn was 13% harvested, in comparison to 41% harvested last year and the 5-year average of 51%. The rate of harvest completion is fairly even statewide.

Wisconsin corn production is forecast at 423 million bushels, up 7 percent from last year. Yield is expected to reach 146.0 bush-els per acre this season, up from 137.0 bushels per acre in 2008. If realized, this will be Wisconsin’s second highest corn for grain yield. Statewide harvested acre intentions are up from 2.88 million in 2008 to 2.90 million acres in 2009.

U.S. corn for grain production is forecast at 12.9 billion bushels on 79.3 million acres harvested. Based on conditions as of No-vember 1, yields are expected to average 162.9 bushels per acre, down 1.3 bushels from October, but 9.0 bushels above last year. Despite the drop in yield from October, this yield will be the highest on record if realized. Within the Corn Belt, forecasted yields in Minnesota and Wisconsin increased, while Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan yields decreased.

Soybean area harvested in Wisconsin is expected to reach 1.63 million acres, up from 1.59 million acres last year. Yield is fore-cast at 41.0 bushels per acre, up from 35.0 bushels per acre a year ago. Wisconsin soybean production is forecasted at 66.8 million bushels, up 20 percent from 2008. If realized, this will be the fourth largest soybean production in Wisconsin history.

Nationwide soybean area harvested is expected to reach 76.6 million acres, producing 3.32 billion bushels. If realized, this will be the new record for national soybean production, up 12 percent from last year. Based on November 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 43.3 bushels per acre, up from 39.7 bushels per acre in 2008. If realized, this will be the highest U.S. soybean yield on record. Compared with last month, yields are forecasted higher or unchanged in all states except Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi and Texas.

The Wisconsin potato crop is expected to yield 460 hundred-weight (cwt.) per acre. If realized, this will be the new record high Wisconsin potato yield. Area harvested is up 1,000 acres from 62.0 thousand acres in 2008 to 63.0 thousand acres in 2009. Production is forecast at 29.0 million cwt., up 13 percent from a year ago.

U.S fall potato production is forecast at 426 million cwt. If realized, this will be the new record national potato yield, be-hind last year. Acres harvested nationwide is expected to reach 919,900 acres, down from 922,000 in 2008. If realized, this will be the lowest fall potato area harvested since 1951.