Upward Revisions To Winter Wheat Production

USDA is projecting a stronger winter wheat harvest than previously forecast, including a 67-percent jump for Missouri if realized.  The monthly Crop Production report increased the winter wheat harvest by six percent from the June report, with USDA now calling for a summer haul of 1.21 billion bushels.  That’s a nine-percent increase from last year’s harvest.  An additional 400,000 harvested acres, along with yield nearing last year’s mark of 47 bushels per acre, led to the increase, as beneficial rains fell in key growing areas just before harvest, outweighing reports of crop damage from hail and drought, as well as weed pressure.

An additional 40,000 harvested acres in Missouri alone has led to another boost to this year’s wheat harvest.  USDA now believes that farmers in the state will harvest wheat from 640,000 acres, a 56-percent boost from last year.  Yield was also revised upward by four bushels per acre, now at 64.  That results in USDA calling for Missouri’s harvest to total almost 41 million bushels, a net increase of 14 percent from June’s forecast.

The July report also calls for a 13-percent decrease in oat production this year.  USDA projects a total nationwide haul of 49.9 million bushels from 794,000 acres.  Yield is down two bushels per acre at 62.8, while harvest acreage is down 11 percent from a year ago.