Corn Crop Forecast Improves

WASHINGTON - Oct 9/09 - SNS -- This year's corn production forecast in the United States rose slightly from last month to 13.0 billion bushels, 8% higher than 2008, according to the latest USDA crop production estimates.

Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 164.2 bushels per acre, up 2.3 bushels from September and 10.3 bushels above last year. If realized, this yield will be the highest on record and total production will be second only to the record set in 2007.

Yield forecasts remained unchanged or increased from last month across the Corn Belt, Great Plains, and Ohio Valley where warm, dry weather during much of September helped push the late-developing corn crop towards maturity.

Light frost was reported in parts of the northern tier of the Great Plains and Corn Belt in late September. However, temperatures were not considered low enough to terminate crop growth. Based on administrative information, acreage updates were made in several States and farmers now expect to harvest 79.3 million acres for grain, down 1% from the September forecast but 1% above 2008.

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