Corn for grain production is estimated at a record 13.9 billion bushels, down slightly from the November 1 forecast but 29 percent above 2012. The average yield in the United States is estimated at 158.8 bushels per acre. This is down 1.6 bushels from the November forecast but 35.4 bushels above the 2012 average yield of 123.4. Area harvested for grain is estimated at 87.7 million acres, up slightly from both the November forecast and 2012.
Sorghum grain production in 2013 is estimated at 389 million bushels, down 6 percent from the November 1 forecast but up 58 percent from 2012. Planted area is estimated at 8.06 million acres, up 29 percent from last year. Area harvested for grain, at 6.53 million acres, is up 32 percent from 2012. Average grain yield, at 59.6 bushels per acre, is down 2.6 bushels from the previous forecast but up 9.8 bushels from last year.
Rice: Production in 2013 is estimated 190 million cwt, up 1 percent from the previous forecast but down 5 percent from 2012. Planted area is estimated at 2.49 million acres, down 8 percent from 2012. Area harvested, at 2.47 million acres, is also down 8 percent from the previous crop year. The average yield for all United States rice is estimated at a record high 7,694 pounds per acre, up 34 pounds from the previous forecast and 245 pounds above the previous record high set last crop year.
Soybean production in 2013 totaled 3.29 billion bushels, up 1 percent from the November 1 forecast and up 8 percent from 2012. United States production is the third largest on record. The average yield per acre is estimated at 43.3 bushels, 0.3 bushel above the November 1 forecast and 3.5 bushels above last year's yield. Harvested area is down slightly from 2012 to 75.9 million acres and is the fourth highest on record.
All cotton production is estimated at 13.2 million 480-pound bales, up 1 percent from last month but down 24 percent from 2012. The United States yield is estimated at 826 pounds per acre, up 20 pounds from the December 1 forecast but down 61 pounds from last year. Harvested area, at 7.66 million acres, is down 1 percent from last month and down 18 percent from last year.
Source: USDA