USDA notes crop production down across state
Corn production in Virginia is estimated at 47.5 million bushels, down 3 percent from the November forecast and down slightly from the previous crop. Yield was estimated at 146 bushels per acre, down 2 bushels from the previous forecast and up 6 bushels from the 2017 level. Acres for harvest as grain were estimated at 325,000 acres, down 15,000 acres from 2017. The U.S. corn production is estimated at 14.4 billion bushels, down 7 percent from the November forecast and down 1 percent from 2017. Yields averaged 176.4 bushels per acre, down 2.5 percent from the previous forecast and down 0.2 bushels from 2017.
Area harvested for grain is estimated at 81.7 million acres, unchanged from the November forecast and down 1 percent from 2017.
Soybean production for Virginia is estimated at 25.4 million bushels, down 2 percent from the November forecast and down 2 percent from 2017. Yield was estimated at 43 bushels per acre, down 1 percent from last month and down 1 bushel from a year ago. Acreage for harvest as beans was estimated at 590,000 acres, unchanged acres from the previous year. U.S. soybean production is forecast at 4.54 billion bushels, down 1 percent from the November forecast and up 3 percent from last year. Yields were estimated at 51.6 bushels per acre, down 0.5 bushel from last month and up 2.3 bushels from last year. Area for harvest is estimated at 88.1 million acres, down 1 percent from the November forecast and down 2 percent from 2017.
Virginia cotton production is estimated at 195,000 bales, unchanged from the December forecast and up 2 percent from last year. Cotton yields were estimated at 965 pounds per acre, unchanged from last month and down 145 pounds per acre from the previous year. Producers harvested 97,000 acres, unchanged from the December forecast and up 14,000 acres from 2017. U.S. cotton production totaled 18.4 million 480-pound bales, unchanged from the December forecast and down 12 percent from 2017. Yields were estimated at 838 pounds per acre, down 22 pounds from last month and down 67 pounds from last year. Upland cotton production is estimated at 17.6 million 480-pound bales, down 13 percent from 2017. Pima cotton production is estimated at 794,000 480-pound bales, up 14 percent from 2017.
Peanut farmers in Virginia are estimated to produce 101 million pounds for 2018, down 16 percent from last year. Acres harvested were estimated at 24,000 acres, down 3,000 acres from last year. Peanut yield is estimated at 4,200 pounds per acre, down 240 pounds from 2017. U.S. peanut production was estimated at 5.46 billion pounds, down 23 percent from last year. Acres harvested are projected to total 1.37 million acres, down 23 percent from the previous year. Yields averaged 3,991 pounds per acre, down 16 pound per acre from 2017.
Virginia flue-cured tobacco production is estimated at 42.0 million pounds, down 9 percent from the October forecast and down 17 percent from 2017. Yield was estimated at 2,000 pounds per acre, down 100 pounds from the October forecast and down 300 pounds from the 2017 crop. Harvested acreage was estimated at 21,000 acres, down 1,000 acres from last year’s crop. U.S. production is estimated at 339 million pounds, down 26 percent from last year. Flue-cured growers harvested 197,800 acres, down 6 percent from 2017. Yields were estimated at 1,712 pounds per acre, down 487 pounds from last year.
In Cooperation with: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh, Commissioner USDA, NASS, Virginia Field Office Herman Ellison, State Statistician P.O. Box 1659 Richmond, Virginia 23218-1659 (804) 771-2493 or 1-800-772-0670 Email: nass-va@nass.usda.gov -USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender.-
Production of Virginia dark fire-cured tobacco is estimated at 546,000 pounds, down 6 percent from the previous year. Burley tobacco production is estimated at 1.50 million pounds, down 32 percent from last year. Alfalfa hay production by Virginia farmers is forecast at 120,000 tons, down 46 percent the 2017 level. Other hay production in Virginia is estimated at 2.42 million tons, down 5 percent from last year.
–Submitted by Jean Hazelgrove, USDA
