Corn and Soybean Production up in 2020, USDA Reports

Jan 13, 2021

Increased acreage and higher yields for corn and soybeans allowed both crops to return to more typical production levels, according to the 2020 Crop Production Annual Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

U.S. corn growers produced 14.2 billion bushels, up 4% from 2019. Corn yield in the United States is estimated at 172.0 bushels per acre, 4.5 bushels above the 2019 yield of 167.5 bushels per acre. Area harvested for grain, at 82.5 million acres, is up 1% from 2019.

Soybean production for 2020 totaled 4.14 billion bushels, up 16% from 2019. With record high yields in Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, and Tennessee, the average soybean yield is estimated at 50.2 bushels per acre, 2.8 bushels above 2019, but 0.5 bushel below the Nov. 1 forecast.

For 2020, all cotton production is down 25% from 2019, at 15.0 million 480-pound bales. The U.S. yield is estimated at 825 pounds per acre, up 2 pounds from last year’s yield. Harvested area, at 8.70 million acres, is down 25% from last year.

Also released today were the Winter Wheat and Canola Seedings and Grain Stocks reports. The Winter Wheat and Canola Seedings report provides the first indicator of this year’s winter wheat acreage. Planted area for harvest in 2021 is estimated at 32.0 million acres, up 5% from 2020.

In the Grain Stocks report, corn stored as of Dec. 1, 2020 was estimated to be down fractionally from Dec. 1, 2019. Soybean stocks were down 10% from a year earlier. Corn stored in all positions totaled 11.3 billion bushels, while soybeans totaled 2.93 billion bushels. All wheat stocks were down 9% from a year earlier. All wheat stored in all positions on Dec. 1, 2020 totaled 1.67 billion bushels.

The full Crop Production 2020 Summary is available online at nass.usda.gov/Publications. The report contains year-end acreage, yield and production estimates for grains and hay; oilseeds; cotton, tobacco and sugar; dry beans, peas and lentils; and potatoes and miscellaneous crops.

The Crop Production report is published monthly and is available online at nass.usda.gov/Publications/Reports_by_Release_Day/index.php.

Source : usda.gov

Video: White Mold in Winter Canola | Timing, Treatment & Taking Control | Pioneer Agronomy

White mold can be one of the most damaging diseases in winter canola, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be.

In this video, Pioneer field agronomist Greg Pfeffer breaks down what to watch for, when to act, and how to stay ahead of infection. From early spring green-up to the critical 25% flowering stage, learn why timing is everything and how a preventative mindset can protect your yield.

This video also discusses fungicide strategies, including why multiple modes of action like Group 3, 7, and 11 offer the strongest defense. If you’re growing canola or considering it, this is your practical guide to smarter disease control in the field.