RICHMOND, Va. — Corn production in Virginia was forecast at 55.8 million bushels, up 2% from the previous crop. Yield was estimated at 136.0 bushels per acre, down 8.0 bushels from the 2019 level. Acres for harvest as grain were estimated at 410,000 acres, up 30,000 acres from 2019. The U.S. corn production was forecast at 14.7 billion bushels, up 8% from 2019. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 178.4 bushels per acre, up 10.9 bushels from 2019. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 82.5 million acres, down 1% from the September forecast but up 1% from 2019.
Soybean production for Virginia is forecast at 23.0 million bushels, increased 21% from 2019. Yield was estimated at 41.0 bushels per acre, up 7.0 bushels from a year ago. U.S. soybean production was forecast at 4.27 billion bushels, up 20% from last year. Based on October 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 51.9 bushels per acre, up 4.5 bushels from last year. Area for harvest is forecast at 82.3 million acres, down 1% from September but up 10% from 2019.
Virginia cotton production is projected to be 160,000 bales, down 34% from last year. Cotton yields are forecast to average 972 pounds per acre, down 172 pounds per acre from the previous year. Producers expect to harvest 79,000 acres, down 23,000 acres from 2019. U.S. cotton production was forecast at 17.0 million bales, down 14% from 2019. Yields are forecast to average 909 pounds per acre, up 86 pounds from last year. Harvested acreage is estimated at 9.01 million acres, down 22% from the previous year.
Peanut farmers in Virginia anticipate harvesting 113 million pounds for 2020, up 2% from last year. Acres expected to be harvested total 27,000 acres, up 3,000 from last year. Producers expect a yield of 4,200 pounds per acre, down 450 pounds from 2019.
Virginia flue-cured tobacco production was forecast at 25.2 million pounds, down 12% from 2019. Yield was projected at 2,100 pounds per acre, up 200 pounds from the 2019 crop. Harvested acreage was estimated at 12,000 acres, down 3,000 acres from last year’s crop.U.S. flue-cured production was forecast at 235 million pounds, down 21% from last year. Flue-cured growers plan to harvest 127,200 acres, down 15% from 2019. Yields were expected to average 1,847 pounds per acre, down 143 pounds from last year.
Production of Virginia dark fire-cured tobacco was forecast at 450,000 pounds, down 22% from the previous year. Burley tobacco production was forecast at 640,000 pounds, down 52% from last year.
Alfalfa hay production is forecast at 136,000 tons, 1% above the 2019 level. Other hay production was estimated at 2.66 million tons, up 10% from last year.
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–USDA, NASS