Corn Production Down Slightly from August Forecast
Soybean Production Down 2 Percent
Cotton Production Down 3 Percent
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Corn production is forecast at 10.7 billion bushels, down less than 1 percent from the August forecast and down 13 percent from 2011. This represents the lowest production in the United States since 2006. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average 122.8 bushels per acre, down 0.6 bushel from the August forecast and 24.4 bushels below the 2011 average. If realized, this will be the lowest average yield since 1995. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 87.4 million acres, unchanged from the August forecast but up 4 percent from 2011.
Soybean production is forecast at 2.63 billion bushels, down 2 percent from August and down 14 percent from last year. Based on September 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 35.3 bushels per acre, down 0.8 bushel from last month and down 6.2 bushels from last year.Compared with last month, yield forecasts are lower or unchanged across the Great Plains and most of the Corn Belt as lingering drought conditions continued to hamper yield expectations. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at 74.6 million acres, unchanged from August but up 1 percent from last year.
All cotton production is forecast at 17.1 million 480-pound bales, down 3 percent from last month but up 10 percent from last year. Yield is expected to average 786 pounds per harvested acre, down 4 pounds from last year. Upland cotton production is forecast at 16.5 million 480-pound bales, up 12 percent from 2011. Pima cotton production, forecast at 657,000 bales, is down 23 percent from last year.
California Navel orange production for the 2012-2013 season is forecast at 1.86 million tons (46.5 million boxes), up 6 percent from last season. Producers reported good growing conditions this year. Fruit set is expected to be higher than average while fruit size is expected to be lower than average. This initial forecast is based on an objective measurement survey conducted in California’s Central Valley during July and August. Survey results also showed that harvest is expected to be earlier than the previous two seasons.
Source: USDA