Corn for grain production is estimated at 10.8 billion bushels, up 1 percent from the November 1 forecast but 13 percent below 2011. The average yield in the United States is estimated at 123.4 bushels per acre. This is up 1.1 bushels from the November forecast but 23.8 bushels below the 2011 average yield of 147.2. Area harvested for grain is estimated at 87.4 million acres, down slightly from the November forecast but up 4 percent from 2011.Sorghum grain production in 2012 is estimated at 247 million bushels, down 4 percent from the November 1 forecast but up 15 percent from 2011. Planted area is estimated at 6.24 million acres, up 14 percent from last year. Area harvested for grain, at 4.96 million acres, is up 26 percent from 2011. Average grain yield, at 49.8 bushels per acre, is down 1.3 bushels from the previous forecast and down 4.8 bushels from last year.
Rice: Production in 2012 is estimated 199 million cwt, up slightly from the previous forecast and 8 percent above 2011. Planted area is estimated at 2.70 million acres, up slightly from 2011. Area harvested, at 2.68 million acres, is up 2 percent from the previous crop year. The average yield for all United States rice is estimated at a record high 7,449 pounds per acre, up 32 pounds from the previous forecast and 382 pounds above the 2011 yield.
Soybean production in 2012 totaled 3.01 billion bushels, up 1 percent from the November 1 forecast but down 3 percent from 2011. United States production is the seventh largest on record. The average yield per acre is estimated at 39.6 bushels, 0.3 bushel above the November 1 forecast but 2.3 bushels below last year’s yield. Harvested area is up 3 percent from 2011 to 76.1 million acres and is the third highest on record.
All cotton production is estimated at 17.0 million 480-pound bales, down 1 percent from last month but up 9 percent from 2011. The United States yield is estimated at 866 pounds per acre, up 73 pounds from the December 1 forecast and up 76 pounds from last year. Harvested area, at 9.43 million acres, is down 10 percent from last month and down fractionally from last year.
