Delaware corn and soybean yields predicted

The dry, hot summer weather is taking a toll on expectations for Delaware’s corn and soybean crops.  

Early predictions for Delaware’s farm output anticipate a decline in both soybean and corn production.  The U.S. Agriculture Department expects corn fields in Delaware to yield an average of 105 bushels per acre, that’s a decline of 25 bushels per acre compared to last year.  Soy bean fields are expected to yield 30 bushels per acre, down nine bushels per acre from 2011.

With 187,000 acres of corn fields expected to be harvested, Delaware’s total corn production should yield 19.6 million bushels.  There are 178,000 acres of soybean fields expected to be harvested, which should translate to 5.3 million bushels.

The outlook is more optimistic in Maryland, with an average yield increase in corn by one bushel per acre over last year.  Maryland soybean farmers are only expected to see a 1.5 bushel decrease per acre in soybeans compared to 2011.  Nationally, corn production is expected to be down 13 percent at its lowest level since 2006.  Soybean production is also projected to be down, 12 percent off of last year’s number which would mark the lowest yield since 2003.

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