Corn and Soybean Production Forecasts are Higher for 2011

Chad Lee, Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky

In the August 16, 2011 Kentucky Agri-News Report, the National Agriculture Statistics Service expects corn yields for Kentucky are at 145 bu/acre and soybean yields are expected to be 40 bu/acre. Both yield forecasts are up from the 2010 season. The 2011 forecast has both corn and soybean at 27 percent increases from 2010, with 194.3 million and 60.0 million bushels for corn and soybean, respectively.

The reports assumes adequate weather for the remainder of the season and no dramatic weather events that damage the crop. There were some reports today that corn was blown over in central Kentucky. Much of the corn was in dent but not at blacklayer, so yield potential was cut short. More events like this could cause the September forecast to be reduced.