November 16, 2004

Soybean, Corn crop in US State Could Set Record
 

Corn and soybean yields in US State Maryland this year are expected to be the second highest ever, reflecting a possible record-setting year nationwide, according to agriculture officials on Friday.

"Ideal growing conditions and adequate and timely moisture are probably the two primary reasons," said Bob Kratochvil, state extension specialist for grain and oil crops. "Mother Nature was very kind to us this year."

Maryland farmers are expected to average 152 bushels of corn per acre, just three bushels shy of the state's 2000 record, according to the Maryland Agricultural Statistics Service. Nationwide, the yield is expected to average 160.2 bushels per acre.

The soybean yield in Maryland is expected to be 42 bushels per acre, just one bushel short of the 2000 record, and just shy of what would be a national record average of 42.6 bushels per acre.

Maryland farmers had harvested 91 percent of their corn and 56 percent of soybeans as of Nov. 7. Soybean harvests stalled because of wet weather and because farmers were so busy with corn, Kratochvil said.

After saying it had been "just a fantastic year," Poolesville farmer Jamie Jamison said he hopes none of the crops go to waste.

But as farmers have watched their yields go up, they have also watched prices fall.

Farmers who contracted their corn back in May got $3 a bushel for it. Recently, it has been selling at less than $2 a bushel.