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One for the record books
Tennessee corn and soybean crops on track to reach record-setting yields
| Story by: Sarah Geyer |
9/30/2019 |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates Tennessee farmers will set a new record for corn yields, and soybean yields will tie last year’s record amount.
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As of press time (Sept. 18), Tennessee producers are in the midst of a potential record-setting harvest.
Based on a Sept.12 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Tennessee corn yields are on track to reach the highest in state history, while projected soybean yields will tie the state record.
“Even though we got a slow start due to wet conditions, this year’s crop really benefited from consistent rainfall throughout the summer,” says Bill Epps, manager of Tennessee Farmers Cooperative’s agronomy division. “Our farmers were also quick to adjust their fertility programs, especially nitrogen, to the growing conditions. We’re looking forward to another successful
Tennessee harvest season.”
Tennessee’s corn yield is estimated to average 175 bushels per acre, up 7 bushels from last year. The state’s corn production is also estimated to increase over last year, up 39 percent to 161 million bushels. U.S. corn production is projected to decrease 4 percent from last year to 13.8 billion bushels, and the national yield average is also estimated to decrease by 8.2 bushels to 168.2 bushels per acre.
The state’s average yield for soybeans is estimated at 50 bushels per acre, an increase of 4 bushels over 2018. Tennessee’s soybean production, however, is expected to decrease slightly, down 4 percent from last year, to 73.5 million bushels. The nation’s soybean production is projected at 3.63 billion bushels, a decrease of 20 percent from last year. Soybean yields nationwide are estimated to average 47.9 bushels per acre, down 3.7 bushels from 2018.
Tennessee cotton farmers should see an increase in both production and yield compared to 2018. Production is estimated at 930,000 bales, up 21 percent from last year, and cotton yields are expected to average 1,116 pounds per acre, up 75 pounds per acre from 2018. U.S. cotton production is forecasted at 21.9 million bales, an increase of 19 percent from last year, while yields nationwide are estimated to average 839 pounds per acre, a decrease of 25 pounds per acre from 2018.
Burley tobacco production in Tennessee is forecasted at 6.40 million pounds, down 29 percent from 2018. Yield is estimated at 1,600 pounds per acre, down 100 pounds per acre from last year. Production for Tennessee dark fire-cured tobacco is projected at 17.3 million pounds, down 25 percent from 2018, while production of Tennessee dark air-cured tobacco is expected to reach 8.5 million pounds, an increase of 15 percent from last year’s crop.
According to NASS’s August report, the state’s winter wheat production is expected to decrease 20 percent from last year to 14.9 million bushels, and yield average is estimated at 66 bushels per acre, up 1 bushel from 2018. Winter wheat production nationwide is expected to see an increase of 12 percent this year at 1.33 billion bushels.
Look for expanded harvest coverage in The Cooperator’s December issue.
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