USDA forecasts record corn harvest for 2011, but full flood impact still unknown

June 10, 2011 |

In Washington, USDA made a slight, but downward, adjustment in its corn harvest forecast for the 2011 season. The USDA June WASDE report lowered 2011 corn planted area by 1.5 million acres from March intentions to 90.7 million acres.

Harvested area was lowered 1.9 million acres, to 83.2 million based on early estimates regarding flooding impact. Total corn production is projected at 13.2 billion bushels, down 305 million from the May forecast, but up 753 million from 2010/11, and projected to be an all-time high.

Geoff Cooper at RFA commented “It likely is too early to accurately estimate how many acres may have been lost to flooding or abandoned due to prevented planting.

The June 30 Acreage Report will provide a much better picture of actual corn acreage. Historical data has shown that the weather in July and August is a much more important factor in determining final yields than the planting date. For example, 2010 saw one of the fastest planting paces on record, yet final average yields were much lower than expected because of extreme heat and dryness in August.”

Category: Fuels

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