Despite the excessively wet spring and hot, dry summer, U.S. crop farmers are on the verge of harvesting the largest corn crop in history, according to a report today from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

NASS forecasts corn production at 13.8 billion bushels, up less than 1% from the August forecast and up 28% from 2012. If realized, this will be a new record production for the United States.

Based on conditions as of Sept. 1, yields are expected to average 155.3 bushels per acre, up 0.9 bushels from the August forecast and 31.9 bushels above the 2012 average.

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If realized, this will be the highest average yield since 2009.

Area harvested for grain is forecast at 89.1 million acres, unchanged from the August forecast but up 2% from 2012.

Soybean Production Down

The NASS report calls for soybean production to reach 3.15 billion bushels, down 3% from August but up 4% from last year. If realized, production will be the fourth-largest on record.

Based on Sept.1 conditions, yields are expected to average 41.2 bushels per acre, down 1.4 bushels from last month, but up 1.6 bushels from last year.

Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at 76.4 million acres, unchanged from August but up slightly from 2012.

To read more about the crop forecast, log onto www.usda.gov and click on Agency Reports.

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