Kentucky crop forecasts for October 2024

By Blake Jackson

Corn production in Kentucky is expected to reach 238 million bushels, a 1% decrease from the September estimate and a 15% drop from last year’s output.

The projected yield is 186 bushels per acre, slightly lower by one bushel compared to both last month and 2023.

The acreage for corn harvested as grain is anticipated at 1.28 million acres, a reduction of 220,000 acres from the previous year.

Nationwide, U.S. corn production is forecasted at 15.2 billion bushels, reflecting a slight increase from September but down 1% from 2023.

Yields are projected to average 183.8 bushels per acre, an improvement of 0.2 bushels since last month and 6.5 bushels higher than last year.

The area expected to be harvested for grain in the U.S. stands at 82.7 million acres, unchanged from the September forecast but 4% lower than in 2023.

Turning to soybeans, Kentucky’s output is projected at 104 million bushels, 2% lower than the September forecast but 4% higher than 2023. The yield estimate is 51 bushels per acre, down by one bushel from last month and four bushels lower than last year.

Harvested acreage is expected to rise to 2.04 million acres, an increase of 220,000 acres compared to last year. U.S. soybean production is forecast at 4.58 billion bushels, down slightly from the September forecast but up 10% from 2023.

The average yield is estimated at 53.1 bushels per acre, a slight 0.1-bushel decrease from last month but 2.5 bushels higher than in 2023. The area harvested in the U.S. remains at 86.3 million acres, unchanged from September but 5% higher than last year.

For Kentucky’s burley tobacco, production remains at 50 million pounds, unchanged from September but down 12% from last year. The yield is projected at 2,000 pounds per acre, with harvested acreage at 25,000 acres, 2,000 acres fewer than 2023.

Kentucky's dark fire-cured tobacco production is forecast at 13.6 million pounds, down 31% from last year, while dark air-cured tobacco is expected to yield 8.37 million pounds, 4% less than in September and 8% below 2023 levels.

Alfalfa hay production in Kentucky is forecast at 264,000 tons, down 2% from last year, while other hay production is estimated to rise 22%, reaching 5.08 million tons.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-studio2013