A USDA crop forecast released on September 11 shows corn acreage to be harvested for grain in Pennsylvania is projected to be 990,000 acres, which is 40,000 acres less than 2014.
Based on crop conditions as of September 1, corn yield is forecast at 150 bushels per acre, which is 4 bushels per acre below last year's final yield. The current forecast of corn for grain production in Pennsylvania, at 148.5 million bushels, is down 6 percent from last year.
By August 16, all major corn-estimates States were behind their respective 5-year averages for denting progress by the end of the second week of August except Colorado, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. At 13.6 billion bushels, 2015 corn production is forecast to be the third highest production on record for the United States. The forecasted yield nationally, at 167.5 bushels per acre, is expected to be the second highest yield on record for the United States.
Soybean acreage for harvest in Pennsylvania is set at 655,000 acres, up 50,000 acres from last year. The expected yield, based on September 1conditions, is 46 bushels per acre, down 3 bushels from 2014. Forecasted soybean production, at record production of 30.1 million bushels, which is 2 percent above last year’s production in Pennsylvania.
Burley tobacco acreage for harvest is estimated at 4,700 acres, down 400 acres from 2014. As of September 1, yield is forecast at 2,450 pounds per acre, down 50 pounds from last year. The resulting production of 11.52 million pounds is 10 percent below 2014. Pennsylvania seedleaf tobacco acreage for harvest is estimated at 1,800 acres with an expected yield as of September 1 of 2,400 pounds per acre. This would result in production of 4.32 million pounds, which is 10 percent below last year. Southern Maryland type tobacco acreage for harvest was estimated at 1,800, down 200 acres from last year. With an estimated yield based on condition of the crop as of September 1 of 2,350 pounds per acre, production would be 4.23 million pounds, which is 10 percent below 2014.