Ohio's corn yields up, soybeans down from '09

Ohio is expected to produce 594.9 million bushels of corn this year, a 9 percent increase from last year's record, but soybean production will fall 3 percent to 215.3 million bushels, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates.

Nationwide, farmers are expected to produce record-breaking amounts of nearly 13.4 billion bushels of corn and more than 3.4 billion bushels of soybeans, according to the department.

Michigan farmers are predicted to produce 343.2 million bushels of corn and 89.9 million bushels of soybeans, it said. Corn production in Michigan is expected to be up 11 percent, while soybean production is expected to be up 13 percent, it said.

Monroe area farmer William Leicht said he expects to harvest at least 50 bushels of soybeans an acre this year. That tops the department's forecast of 43 bushels an acre in Michigan, up from 40 last year, and 46 bushels an acre in Ohio, down from 49.

"We've gotten the rain when we needed it, so the beans look real good," said Mr. Leicht, who farms with his brother, August.

Soybeans in Ohio, however, were planted weeks later than ideal because of heavy rains in late May and early June, said Matt Roberts, an agricultural economist at Ohio State University.

High temperatures after soybeans were planted haven't helped, either, said Peter Thomison, an Ohio State professor and extension agronomist.

August, though, is a critical growing month for soybeans.

There is a lot of speculation in Ohio and across the corn belt about the number of acres planted or damaged by water in low spots, Mr. Roberts said. Corn planting conditions started out well but turned wet in the third week of April, and some areas - including northwest Ohio - had significant rainfall well into June, he said.

"The August numbers are still pretty preliminary numbers both for acres [to be harvested] and for yields," Mr. Roberts said.

This year, he predicted corn yields will be better in southern Ohio.

The agriculture department estimates Ohio's average corn yield at 176 bushels an acre, up from 174 last year. It put Michigan's at 156 bushes an acre, up from 148.

Estimates are from Aug. 1, and the report was released last week.

Nationally, corn yields are expected to be 165 bushels an acre, a record high and up from 164.7 last year. U.S. soybean yields are expected to stay at 44 bushels an acre, the department says.

"I hope the yields come to pass and come to fruition, literally and figuratively," Mr. Thomison said.

Contact Julie M. McKinnon at:

jmckinnon@theblade.com

or 419-724-6087.