November 3, 2010

Wisconsin producers still harvesting large corn, soy crops

Although they were slowed by rainfall early last week, Wisconsin farmers are benefiting from higher-than-normal yields and relatively high prices.

On October 8, the USDA estimated the nation's corn crop at 12.7 billion bushels, down 3% from last year's record. US soy production is expected to reach a record high 3.41 billion bushels.

Corn production in Wisconsin was estimated at 477.9 million bushels, up 6.6% from last year; and the state's soy crop was estimated at 79.9 million bushels, up 23.3% from last year. Record high yields also were forecast for Wisconsin - 162 bushels per acre for corn and 49 bushels per acre for soy.

"I think we're still a little ahead of schedule (in harvesting corn and soy) because of nice weather in October," said Steve Huntzicker, La Crosse County University of Wisconsin-Extension agriculture agent.

He said most of the county's soy crop has been harvested and estimated one-third to one-half of the corn crop has been harvested.

Good weather during the planting and growing seasons has helped this year's corn and soy crops, Huntzicker said. "Yields are good for both corn and soy," he said. He has heard of yields ranging from 150-200 bushels an acre for corn, and from 35-60 bushels an acre for soy.