LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Corn production in Kentucky is forecast at 275 million bushels, down 2% from the September forecast and up 30% from the previous crop. Yield was estimated at 183 bushels per acre, down 3 bushels from last month and up 27 bushels from the 2022 level. Acres for harvest as grain were estimated at 1.50 million acres, up 150,000 acres from 2022.
The U.S. corn production is forecast at 15.1 billion bushels, down slightly from the September forecast and up 10% from 2022. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 173.0 bushels per acre, down 0.8 bushels from last month and down 0.4 bushels from 2022. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 87.1 million acres, unchanged from the September forecast and up 10% from 2022.
Soybean production for Kentucky is forecast at 96.7 million bushels, down 4% from the September forecast and down 2% from 2022. Yield was estimated at 54 bushels per acre, down 2 bushels from last month and up 3.0 bushels from a year ago. Acreage for harvest as beans was estimated at 1.79 million acres, down 150,000 acres from the previous year.
U.S. soybean production is forecast at 4.10 billion bushels, down 1% from the September forecast and down 4% from last year. Based on October 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 49.6 bushels per acre, down 0.5 bushels from last month and unchanged bushels from last year. Area for harvest is forecast at 82.8 million acres, unchanged from the September forecast and down 4% from 2022.
Kentucky burley tobacco production is forecast at 55.4 million pounds, up 4% from the September forecast and up 10% from 2022. Yield was projected at 2,050 pounds per acre, up 150 pounds from last month and up 250 pounds from the 2022 crop. Harvested acreage was estimated at 27,000 acres, down 1,000 acres from last year’s crop.
For the burley producing states, production is forecast at 63.0 million pounds, up 8% from last year. Burley growers plan to harvest 31,330 acres, down 3% from 2022. Yields were expected to average 2,012 pounds per acre, up 204 pounds from last year.
Production of Kentucky dark fire-cured tobacco is forecast at 22.0 million pounds, unchanged from the September forecast and down 29% from the previous year. Dark air-cured tobacco production is forecast at 9.99 million pounds, up 1% from the September forecast and down 35% from last year.
Alfalfa hay production by Kentucky farmers is forecast at 320,000 tons, down 19% the 2022 level. Other hay production is estimated at 4.29 million tons, up 2% from last year.
