August 19, 2024
 

US corn production forecast slightly lower for 2024

The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has forecast US corn production for 2024 at 15.1 billion bushels, representing a 1% decrease from last year's output, according to the Crop Production report released on August 12, 2024, Ethanol Producer Magazine reported.

If this projection holds, the 2024 harvest will still be the third-highest corn production on record in the US.

As of August 1, the national average corn yield is expected to reach a record high of 183.1 bushels per acre, an increase of 5.8 bushels from the previous year. NASS is predicting record-high yields in several states, including Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The total planted corn area for 2024 stands at 90.7 million acres, down 1% from earlier estimates and 4% below last year's figures. The area projected for harvest is 82.7 million acres, reflecting a 1% decrease from previous forecasts and a 4% decline compared to last year.

Despite the slight reduction in planted and harvested area, crop conditions have improved. As of Aug. 4, 67% of the 2024 corn crop was rated in good or excellent condition, marking a 10-percentage point increase from the same period last year.

-      Ethanol Producer Magazine