Missouri corn yields down from original forecasts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A long summer of high heat and little rain appears to have taken a toll on the state's corn crop.

Gene Danekas, director of the USDA's Missouri Agricultural Statistics office, says corn yields will be under levels predicted on August 1.

"A challenging growing season is beginning to show its final effect on Missouri's crop production," said Danekas. "Corn yields have diminished from earlier expectations as the results of the extreme July growing conditions become more evident."

With corn harvest underway in many areas across Missouri, yields are running in the 120 bushels per acre range, 3 bushels below last year's yield and six acres below the August 1 prediction. Overall production is now forecast at 372 million bushels in Missouri, down 5 percent from a year ago.

Predictions of the fourth-largest soybean crop in history are right on target. The crop is somewhat below last year's levels in yield and total production at 39 bushels per acre and 197 million bushels total.

Rice farmers in Southeast Missouri that were able to ride out the floods are in the midst of a record year. Harvest estimates show 7,200 pounds per acre, 720 pounds per acre higher than last year. But harvested rice acres are expected at 128,000, 123,000 less than last year, making the overall production of rice 43 percent smaller than last year's total crop.

The cotton crop is expected to produce 830,000 480-pound bales, up 21 percent from last year.