USDA projects third-largest corn crop on record; soybeans, cotton, and wheat hurt by heat and drought

摘要

U.S. farmers are on track to produce the third-largest corn crop in history, but extreme heat and dry conditions this summer have hindered soybean, cotton, and all wheal production, according to the Aug. 11 Crop Production report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is forecast at 12.9 billion bushels, up 4 percent from last year. Based on conditions as of Aug. 1, corn yields are expected to average 153 bushels/acre, up 0.2 bushel from 2010, and the fourth highest yield on record. Acreage planted for all purposes is estimated at 92.3 million acres, unchanged from NASS's June estimate.