Production down from Aug. forecast

Production for both corn and soybeans is down from the August forecast, according to the USDA report issued Friday morning.

Corn production for grain is forecast at 14.9 billion bushels, down 2 percent from the previous forecast but up 9 percent from 2019. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average a record high 178.5 bushels per harvested acre, down 3.3 bushels from the previous forecast but up 11.1 bushels from last year. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 83.5 million acres, down 1 percent from the previous forecast, but up 3 percent from the previous year.

Soybean production for beans is forecast at 4.31 billion bushels, down 3 percent from the previous forecast but up 21 percent from last year. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average a record high 51.9 bushels per harvested acre, down 1.4 bushels from the previous forecast but up 4.5 bushels from 2019. Area harvested for beans in the United States is forecast at 83.0 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 11 percent from 2019.

For Illinois crop production:

Corn: Planted area is estimated at 10.9 million acres, up 4 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 10.7 million acres, is up 5 percent from 2019. Based on September 1 conditions, the Illinois corn yield is forecast at 203 bushels per acre, down 4 bushels from last month but up 22 bushels from 2019. Production is forecast at 2.17 billion bushels, up 18 percent from last year’s production.

Soybeans: Planted area is estimated at 10.40 million acres, up 5 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 10.35 million acres, is up 5 percent from 2019. Based on September 1 conditions, the Illinois soybean yield is forecast at 62 bushels per acre, up 8 bushels from 2019. Production is forecast at 642 million bushels, up 21 percent from 2019.

Friday's USDA report information resulted in higher market prices.