Crops Could Be In Trouble, Lower Yields Predicted

USDA reduced both its corn and soybean production estimates in its Sept. 12 report, due to the poor growing conditions in August and late start to this year’s growing season, according to Farm Progress.

At 12.1 billion bushels, USDA’s September Crop Report reduces production 216 million bushels on lower expected yields. The forecast yield of 152.3 bushels per acre is down 2.7 bushels from last month. Soybean production is forecast at 2.93 billion bushels, down 1% from the August forecast but up 13% from last year.

And, according to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey, the latest crop condition shows crops running significantly behind the normal development pace in the Midwest and across the Plains. The condition of corn and soybean crops did not deteriorate; corn held steady with 61% rated in good to excellent condition and 57% of soybeans with that rating.

However, torrential rains and flooding in many areas may drop those ratings in future reports. Also, maturity is very far behind pace, with only 19% of the corn crop fully mature. “That is way behind the five-year average of 44%,” said Rippey. “In five states we see less than 10% of the corn mature at this point in mid-September.”