USDA’s Production Estimates Hint at Record Yields

Production numbers for corn, soybeans, cotton, and winter wheat all point upward, according to news last week from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Corn production is up 11 percent over 2015. Soybeans are 3 percent higher. Cotton brings in the biggest number at 23 percent higher. And, all wheat production is up 3 percent from the July forecast and 13 percent compared to last year.

In terms of quantities, that represents 15.2 billion bushels of corn, or an average of 175.1 bushels per acre. If realized, this will be the highest yield and production on record for the U.S.

For soybeans, the forecast calls for a record 4.06 billion bushels. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average a record 48.9 bushels per acre.

Cotton production is forecast at 15.9 million 480-pound bales. Yield is expected to average 800 pounds per harvested acre, up 34 pounds from last year.

See more production numbers at FarmEquip.org/crops.