Minnesota Ag Connection - Minnesota Dry Edible Beans, Alfalfa Forecasts Up

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Minnesota Dry Edible Beans, Alfalfa Forecasts Up
Minnesota Ag Connection - 10/12/2018

Minnesota corn production is forecast at 1.42 billion bushels, down 4 percent from last year, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service - Crop Production report. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 191.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from the September 1 forecast but a decrease of 3.0 bushels per acre from last year. Corn planted acreage is estimated at 7.90 million acres, up 100,000 acres from the previous forecast. An estimated 7.45 million of the acres planted will be harvested for grain, up 50,000 acres from the previous forecast.

Soybean production is forecast at 386 million bushels, slightly above last year. The yield is forecast at 50.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from the September 1 forecast but 2.5 bushels above 2017. Soybean planted acreage is estimated at 7.80 million acres with 7.71 million acres to be harvested, down 30,000 acres harvested from the previous forecast.

Production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures for hay is forecast at 3.20 million tons, up 10 percent from the previous year. Yield is expected to average 3.60 tons per acre, up 0.25 ton from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 890,000 acres, up 20,000 acres from 2017. Production of other hay is forecast at 918,000 tons, down 5 percent from last year. Yields are expected to average 1.80 tons per acre. Harvested area is forecast at 510,000 acres, equal to last year.

Dry edible bean production is forecast at 4.18 million cwt, up 17 percent from last year. An expected 167,000 acres will be harvested, with an expected yield of 2,500 pounds per acre. This is the highest yield and production on record. Sugarbeet production is estimated at 11.3 million tons, down 10 percent from last year. Yield is forecast at 28.2 tons per acre, down 1.9 tons from the September forecast and down 2.4 tons from 2017. Acres expected to be harvested decreased 10,000 acres from last year to 399,000 acres. Sunflower production is forecast at 82.9 million pounds, up 26 percent from 2017. Yield is forecast at 1,657 pounds per acre, with an expected 50,000 acres harvested. Canola production is forecast at 81.4 million pounds, up 15 percent from 2017. Yield is forecast at 1,850 pounds per acre, with an expected 44,000 acres harvested.

The forecasts in this report are based on October 1 conditions and do not reflect weather effects since that time. The next corn and soybean production forecasts, based on conditions as of November 1, will be released on November 8.

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