USDA Shows 2020 US Crop Yields Up, PA Down

 

The USDA recently reported its 2020 US Crop Production Summary, which noted exceptional nationwide yields in 2020. However, less than ideal weather in parts of PA brought down the average corn and soybean yields here at home, while our wheat growers, had a good year on average.

 

The 2020 average wheat yield in the state was 71 bushels per acre, slightly off the 2019 record yield of 73 bushels. Wheat yields over the last 10 years have averaged approximately 66 bushels per acre (Figure 1). The national average was approximately 50 bushels per acre, down from 2019’s estimate of 52.

 

Soybeans yields for 2020 averaged approximately 46 bushels per acre, less than the state’s record of 49, achieved 3 times over the past 10 years, and was slightly lower than the 10-year average of 47. Meanwhile, the national estimate of 50 bushels per acre exceeded 2019’s estimate of 47 bushels.

 

Corn showed the biggest hit in yield across the state, coming in at approximately 138 bushels per acre, well below 2019’s average of 153. Last year’s yield was the 4th lowest over the past 10 years and is below the 10-year average of 141 bushels per acre. The nationwide estimate came in at 172 bushels per acre, up approximately 4 bushels from 2019.

 

The big hit in corn yield was likely a result from the extremely variable conditions across the state. The western and central parts of the state experienced extreme drought conditions, with some farms experiencing yields that were less than half of what they obtained in 2019. Soybeans appeared to be less affected by weather conditions, with some timely rain possibly saving the crop in some areas. Fortunately, our 2020 wheat crop was largely unaffected by the 2020 weather extremes and most reports from the field indicated that wheat quality was above average.

 

Our Crop Conditions Tour at the end of August noted much of the yield disparities across the state. Our lowest yielding corn yield estimates ranged from 52 bushels per acre in the central part of the state to 89 bushels in the west. However, fields in the southeast were regularly over 200 bushels per acre, and spotty rainfall helped to push fields above that threshold in all parts of the state. Our observations of soybeans throughout the year were in line with final estimates, as conditions looked good, but as good as what we saw in 2019. Fortunately for both crops, a somewhat dry fall meant an early harvest with few grain quality issues noted.

 

The USDA estimates are obtained from surveying approximately 79,000 farmers across the country in December. The full report can be found at the USDA's Crop Production Annual Summary.