Final Corn Production down 1%, Soybeans Up Slightly

Corn for grain production is estimated at a record 14.2 billion bushels, down 
1 percent from the November forecast but 3 percent above the revised 2013 
estimate. The average yield in the United States is estimated at a record 
high of 171.0 bushels per acre. This is down 2.4 bushels from the November 
forecast but 12.9 bushels above the revised 2013 average yield of 
158.1 bushels per acre. Area harvested for grain is estimated at 83.1 million 
acres, up slightly from the November forecast but down 5 percent from the 
revised 2013 acreage.

Sorghum grain production in 2014 is estimated at 433 million bushels, up 
6 percent from the November forecast and up 11 percent from the revised 2013 
grain production total. Planted area is estimated at 7.14 million acres, down 
11 percent from last year's revised planted acres. Area harvested for grain, 
at 6.40 million acres, is down 2 percent from the 2013 revised harvested 
acres. Average grain yield, at 67.6 bushels per acre, is up 1.5 bushels from 
the previous forecast and up 8.0 bushels from last year.

Rice: Production in 2014 is estimated at 221 million cwt, down slightly from 
the previous forecast but up 16 percent from the revised 2013 total. Planted 
area for 2014 is estimated at 2.94 million acres, up 18 percent from 2013. 
Area harvested, at 2.92 million acres, is also up 18 percent from the 
previous crop year. The average yield for all United States rice is estimated 
at 7,572 pounds per acre, down 25 pounds from the previous forecast and 
122 pounds below the 2013 United States average of 7,694 pounds per acre. 

Soybean production in 2014 totaled a record 3.97 billion bushels, up slightly 
from the November forecast and up 18 percent from 2013. The average yield per 
acre is estimated at a record high 47.8 bushels, 0.3 bushel above the 
November forecast and 3.8 bushels above the 2013 yield. Harvested area is up 
9 percent from 2013 to 83.1 million acres and is the highest on record.

All cotton production is estimated at 16.1 million 480-pound bales, up 
1 percent from last month and up 25 percent from 2013. The United States 
yield is estimated at 795 pounds per acre, up 22 pounds from the 
December forecast but down 26 pounds from last year. Harvested area, at 
9.71 million acres, is down 2 percent from last month but up 29 percent from 
last year.