Corn Production Up 3 Percent from August Forecast
Soybean Production Up 3 Percent
Cotton Production Down 6 Percent
Corn production is forecast at 14.4 billion bushels, up 3 percent from both the August forecast and from 2013. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average 171.7 bushels per acre, up 4.3 bushels from the August forecast and 12.9 bushels above the 2013 average. If realized, this will be the highest yield and production on record for the United States. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 83.8 million acres, unchanged from the August forecast but down 4 percent from 2013.
Soybean production is forecast at a record 3.91 billion bushels, up 3 percent from August and up 19 percent from last year. Based on September 1 conditions, yields are expected to average a record high 46.6 bushels per acre, up 1.2 bushels from last month and up 3.3 bushels from last year. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at a record 84.1 million acres, unchanged from August but up 11 percent from last year.
All cotton production is forecast at 16.5 million 480-pound bales, down 6 percent from the August forecast but up 28 percent from 2013. Yield is expected to average 803 pounds per harvested acre, down 2 percent from last year. Upland cotton production is forecast at 16.0 million 480-pound bales, up 30 percent from 2013. Pima cotton production, forecast at 578,000 bales, is down 9 percent from last year.
California Navel orange production for the 2014-2015 season is forecast at 1.62 million tons (40.5 million boxes), down 4 percent from last season. Producers reported a difficult season for navel oranges due to drought and the December 2013 freeze. This initial forecast is based on an objective measurement survey conducted in California's Central Valley from July to early September. Harvest is expected to begin in October.
Source: USDA