Sorghum Final Lowered

WASHINGTON - Jan 11/08 - SNS -- Sorghum grain production in 2007 is estimated at 505 million bushels, down 2% from the November forecast but 82% above 2006, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) final crop report for 2007.

Planted area is estimated at 7.72 million acres, up 18% from last year. Area harvested for grain, at 6.81 million acres, is up 38% from 2006. Average grain yield, at 74.2 bushels per acre, is down 2.6 bushels from the previous forecast but up 18 bushels from last year.

Silage production is estimated at 6.21 million tons, up 34% from 2006. Area cut for silage is 399,000 acres, up 15% from the previous year. Silage acres increased or remained unchanged from 2006 in all States except Oklahoma and South Carolina. Silage yields averaged 15.6 tons per acre, up 2.2 tons per acre from last year. In the two largest producing States of Kansas and Texas, producers experienced substantial yield and production increases.

Record yields were set in Texas and Arkansas and tied the record yield in Kansas and Nebraska. Planting began at a fast pace but wet weather in May delayed planting in some areas and adequate to abundant precipitation throughout the major producing States aided the crop development and condition considerably compared with the previous year. Warm dry weather conditions promoted maturation and allowed for early harvest of sorghum. By October 21, ninety-four% of the acreage was at or beyond maturity and 62% was harvested, both 11 and 9 points ahead of last year and normal, respectively. Harvest continued ahead of normal in most States with 97% of the crop harvested by November 18.

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