Minnesota Alfalfa, Sunflower, Canola Production Up Double Digits

Minnesota corn production is forecast at 1.43 billion bushels, up 3 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 190.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from the September 1 forecast but up 13.0 bushels per acre from last year. Corn planted acreage is estimated at 8.05 million acres, with an estimated 7.55 million acres to be harvested for grain.

Soybean production is forecast at 369 million bushels, up 4 percent from the previous year. The yield is forecast at 50.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from the September 1 forecast but up 3.0 bushels per acre from 2021. Soybean planted acreage is estimated at 7.45 million acres with 7.38 million acres to be harvested.

Production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures for hay is forecast at 2.14 million tons, up 23 percent from the previous year. Yield is expected to average 3.20 tons per acre, up 0.60 ton per acre from last year. Production of other hay is forecast at 1.14 million tons, up 94 percent from last year. Yields are expected to average 2.15 tons per acre, up 0.75 ton per acre from last year.

Dry edible bean production is forecast at 4.70 million cwt, up 2 percent from last year. An expected 206,000 acres will be harvested, with an expected yield of 2,280 pounds per acre.

Sugarbeet production is estimated at 11.1 million tons, down 10 percent from last year. Yield is forecast at 25.3 tons per acre, down 0.5 ton from the September 1 forecast and down 5.7 tons from 2021. Acres expected to be harvested increased 42,000 acres from last year to 438,000 acres.

Sunflower production is forecast at 152 million pounds, up 61 percent from 2021. Yield is forecast at 2,023 pounds per acre, with an expected 75,000 acres harvested.

Canola production is forecast at 128 million pounds, up 22 percent from 2021. Yield is forecast at 1,880 pounds per acre, with an expected 68,000 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 9.