USDA reports increased corn & soybean production

Soybeans saw record-high production and corn hit almost record-high production in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. These noteworthy increases in corn and soybean production in 2021 were due to increased acreage and higher yields for corn and soybeans.

Throughout 2020, U.S. corn growers produced 15.1 billion bushels, a 7% increase from 2020 and the second highest on record. Corn yield in the U.S. is at an estimated record-high 177.0 bushels per acre, 5.6 bushels above the 2020 yield of 171.4 bushels per acre. At 85.4 million acres, area harvested for grain is up 4% from 2020.

This past year of 2021 resulted in a record-high 4.44 billion bushels of soybeans, a 5% increase from 2020. Soybean production experienced record-high yields in 21 states. The average soybean yield is an estimated 51.4 bushels per acre, 0.4 bushels above 2020 and the second highest on record.

Following this trend of growth, cotton production in 2021 is up 21% from 2020, totaling 17.6 million 480-pound bales. Up 2 pounds from last year’s yield, the U.S. yield is an estimated 849 pounds per acre. At 9.97 million acres, harvested area is up 20% from last year.

NASS also released the winter wheat and canola seedings and grain stocks reports. The report provides the first indicator of this year’s winter wheat acreage. Planted area for harvest in 2022 is estimated at 34.4 million acres, up 2% from 2021.

Per the grain stocks report, corn stored as of Dec. 1, 2021, was estimated to be up 3% from Dec. 1, 2020. Soybean stocks were up 7% from a year earlier. Corn stored in all positions totaled 11.6 billion bushels, while soybeans amassed 3.15 billion bushels. All wheat stocks were down 18% from a year earlier. All wheat stored in all positions on Dec. 1, 2021, totaled 1.39 billion bushels.