U.S. Corn Crop Off 4%,
Soybeans Record High

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— The September 1 corn production forecast for 1999 is down four percent from a year ago. The National Agricultural Statistics Service expects yields to be down 2.2 bushels at 132.2 bushels per acre. If realized, this would be the fourth largest production on record and the third highest yield. Acreage for harvest is estimated down two percent from a year ago at 71 million acres.

Soybean production is forecast up one percent at a record high 2.78 billion bushels. Yields are expected to be down one bushel from last year at 37.9 bushels per acre. Acreage for harvest is up three percent at a record 73.3 million acres.

Sorghum production is forecast up 12 percent at 580 million bushels. Yields are expected to be up .9 bushels at 68.2 bushels per acre. Harvested acreage is up 10 percent at 8.5 million acres.

Wheat production is down 10 percent from 1998 at 2.31 billion bushels. Yield is down .9 bushels at 42.3 bushels per acre. Harvested acreage is down eight percent at 54.5 million acres.

All cotton production is forecast up 26 percent at 17.5 million 480-pound bales, for the eighth largest crop on record. Yields are expected to be down four pounds per acre to an average of 621 pounds. Harvested acreage is expected to be up 27 percent at 13.6 million acres.