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WASDE: USDA Crop Production Report

WASDE REport

Corn Production Down Slightly from September Forecast
Soybean Production Up 9 Percent
Cotton Production Up 1 Percent
Orange Production Up 4 Percent from Last Season


Corn production is forecast at 10.7 billion bushels, down slightly from the September forecast and down 13 percent from 2011. This represents the lowest production in the United States since 2006. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 122.0 bushels per acre, down 0.8 bushel from the September forecast and 25.2 bushels below the 2011 average. If realized, this will be the lowest average yield since 1995. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 87.7 million acres, up less than 1 percent from the September forecast and up 4 percent from 2011. Acreage updates were made in several States based on administrative data. 

Soybean production is forecast at 2.86 billion bushels, up 9 percent from September but down 8 percent from last year. Based on October 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 37.8 bushels per acre, up 2.5 bushels from last month but down 4.1 bushels from last year. Compared with last month, yield forecasts are higher or unchanged across all States. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at 75.7 million acres, up 1 percent from September and up 3 percent from last year. Acreage updates were made in several States based on administrative data.

All cotton production is forecast at 17.3 million 480-pound bales, up 1 percent from last month and up 11 percent from last year. Yield is expected to average 795 pounds per acre, up 5 pounds from last year. Upland cotton production is forecast at 16.6 million 480-pound bales, up 13 percent from 2011. Pima cotton production, forecast at 657,000 bales, was carried forward from last month.

The United States all orange forecast for the 2012-2013 season is 9.37 million tons, up 4 percent from the 2011-2012 final utilization. The Florida all orange forecast, at 154 million boxes (6.93 million tons), is up 5 percent from last season’s final utilization. Early, midseason, and Navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 74.0 million boxes (3.33 million tons), slightly lower than last season. The Florida Valencia orange forecast, at 80.0 million boxes (3.60 million tons), is up 10 percent from the 2011-2012 crop. Weather conditions in Florida during early 2012 were characterized by extreme drought conditions across the citrus producing region. Tropical Storms Debby in June and Isaac in August produced torrential rainfall, which ended Florida’s drought situation. Average fruit per tree is projected to be 14 percent higher than last season. California’s Navel orange crop was developing on a more normal schedule than the previous two years, withharvest expected to begin by early-November.

Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 2012-2013 season is 1.61 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, down 1 percent from last season’s final yield of 1.63 gallons per box. Projected yield from the 2012-2013 early-midseason and Valencia varieties will be published in the January Crop Production report. All projections of yield assume the processing relationships this season will be similar to those of the past several seasons.

Source: USDA


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