Record high production indicated

In Friday’s annual Crop Production Report, corn for grain production in 2017 was estimated at 14.6 billion bushels, down 4 percent from the 2016 estimate.

The United States average yield was at a record high 176.6 bushels per acre, which is 2 bushels above the 2016 average of 174.6. Area harvested for grain was estimated at 82.7 million acres, down 5 percent from the 2016 estimate. Soybean production for 2017 totaled a record 4.39 billion bushels, up 2 percent from 2016. The average yield per acre was estimated at 49.1 bushels, 2.9 bushels below the record yield for 2016. Harvested area was up 8 percent from 2016 at a record high 89.5 million acres.

State analysis:

Illinois had record high corn yields and soybean production in the annual crop production report issued Friday by USDA.

Corn planted area was at 11.2 million acres, down 3 percent from 2016. Corn for grain was harvested on 10.95 million acres, down 4 percent from the previous year. The corn yield is estimated at 201 bushels per acre, up 4 bushels from 2016. For soybeans, planted area was at 10.6 million acres, up 5 percent from the year before. Harvested area, at 10.55 million acres, was up 5 percent from 2016. The soybean yield is estimated at 58 bushels per acre, down 1 bushel from 2016.

Grain Stocks information:

When it comes to Illinois grain stocks, corn stocks in all positions Dec. 1 totaled 2.08 billion bushels, up 5 percent from Dec. 1, 2016. On-farm stocks totaled 1.10 billion bushels with off-farm stocks at 980 million. Soybean stocks in all positions Dec. 1 totaled 511 million bushels, up 6 percent from Dec. 1 , 2016. On-farm stocks were at 230 million bushels, with off-farm stocks at 281 million.

Wheat stocks in all positions Dec. 1 totaled 46.7 million bushels, up 10 percent from Dec. 2016.