EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan growers are anticipating record high corn yields in 2021, according to Marlo D. Johnson, Regional Director of USDA NASS, Great Lakes Regional Office. Spring planting conditions were very favorable and growers were able to get corn and soybeans planted much earlier than the 5-year average. Major field crops weathered a droughty early June better than anticipated and took advantage of rains in late June and July to progress ahead of their 5-year averages. As of August 1, Ninety-one percent of corn was silked and 92 percent of soybeans were blooming. Both far exceeded their 5-year averages.
Highlights of the August 1 Crop Production report follow:
• Michigan’s average corn yield is forecast at 169 bushels per acre, 15 bushels above last year. If realized, this will be a record high by 7 bushels. Total production is forecast at 319 million bushels, up 4 percent from last year.
• Soybean yield is forecast at 48 bushels per acre, up 1 bushel from last year. Total production is forecast at 110 million bushels, up 7 percent from last year. If realized, this will be a record production.
• Winter Wheat yield is estimated at 80 bushels per acre, up 5 bushels from last year. Total production is forecast at 45.6 million bushels.
• Producers of dry beans are expecting their crop to yield 2,400 pounds per acre, up 60 pounds from last year. Production is expected to be 5.45 million hundredweight, down 10 percent due to fewer acres planted.
• Michigan’s 2021 apple production forecast is 760 million pounds, down 18 percent from last year. If realized, this will be the smallest Michigan apple crop since 2012. The Michigan peach production forecast is 8,000 tons, up 33 percent from last year.
— USDA NASS Great Lakes Region
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