Corn production forecast at 2.52 billion bushels

Iowa corn production is forecast at 2.52 billion bushels according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 192 bushels per acre, up 1 bushel from the September 1 forecast, but down 4 bushels per acre from last year. Corn planted acreage is estimated at 13.5 million acres. An estimated 13.1 million of the acres planted will be harvested for grain. 

Soybean production is forecast at 484 million bushels. The yield is forecast at 53.0 bushels per acre, down 1.0 bushel per acre from the September 1 forecast, and 3.0 bushels per acre lower than 2018. Soybean planted acreage is estimated at 9.20 million acres with 9.13 million acres to be harvested. 

Production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures for hay is forecast at 2.24 million tons, a decrease of 2 percent from the previous year. Yield is expected to average 3.20 tons per acre, down 0.50 ton from last year. Production of other hay is forecast at 988,000 tons, up 40 percent from last year. Yield for other hay is expected to average 2.60 tons per acre, up 0.40 ton from last year. 

The forecasts in this report are based on October 1 conditions and do not reflect weather effects since that time. The next corn and soybean production forecasts, based on conditions as of November 1, will be released on November 8. 

NOTE: Following a thorough review of all data, 2018 soybean acreage, yield and production have been revised. Soybean planted acreage, at 9.95 million acres, is down 50,000 acres from the previous estimate. Harvested acreage, at 9.83 million acres, is down 80,000 acres from the previous estimate. The 2018 yield, at 56.0 bushels per acre, is down 1.0 bushel from the previous estimate. Production has been revised to 550 million bushels, down 14.4 million bushels from the previous estimate. Updated 2018 district and county estimates will be available in February 2020.