Lincoln, Neb., August 10, 2012 -- Based on August 1 conditions, Nebraska’s corn crop is forecast at 1.34 billion bushels, 13 percent below last year’s production and the smallest crop since 2006, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Area to be harvested for grain, at 9.1 million acres, is down 5 percent from a year ago. Yield is forecast at 147 bushels per acre, down 13 bushels from last year and the lowest since 2003.
Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at 215 million bushels, 17 percent below last year and lowest since 2007. Area for harvest, at 5.0 million acres, is up 4 percent from 2011. Yield is forecast at 43 bushels per acre, down 10.5 bushels from last year and lowest since 2003.
Nebraska’s 2012 winter wheat crop is forecast at 55.4 million bushels, 15 percent below last year’s crop. Area for grain, at 1.32 million acres, is 9 percent below last year. Yield is forecast at 42 bushels per acre, 3 bushels below last year and lowest since 2006.
Sorghum yield is forecast at 60 bushels per acre, down 34 bushels from last year and lowest since 2002. Production of 4.8 million bushels is down 27 percent from a year ago. Oat yield is forecast at 56 bushels per acre, 9 bushels below last year. Production of 1.4 million bushels is 8 percent above last year. Dry edible bean production is up 13 percent from last year. Sugar beet production is up 14 percent from 2011 due to a record high yield forecast of 30 tons per acre. Alfalfa hay production is forecast to be 27 percent below last year and the smallest production since 1947. All other hay production is down 29 percent.
