United States Corn Report

The 2020 corn area harvested for grain is forecast at 83.5 million acres, 1 percent less than the previous forecast, but up 3 percent from last year.

The September 1 corn objective yield data indicate the fourth highest number of ears on record for the combined objective yield States, (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin).

At 14.9 billion bushels, 2020 corn production for grain is forecast to be the second highest production on record for the United States. The forecasted yield, at 178.5 bushels per acre, is up 7 percent from last year's final estimate of 167.4 bushels per acre. If realized, this would be a record high yield for the United States. Record high yields are forecast for Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin.

By August 2, ninety-two percent of the Nation's corn acreage had reached the silking stage, 20 percentage points ahead of last year and 5 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By August 2, thirty-nine percent of the corn acreage was at or beyond the dough stage, 19 percentage points ahead of last year and 6 percentage points ahead of average. By August 9, ninety-seven percent of the Nation's corn acreage had reached the silking stage, 10 percentage points ahead of last year and 2 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By August 9, fifty-nine percent of the corn acreage was at or beyond the dough stage, 25 percentage points ahead of last year and 7 percentage points ahead of average. By August 9, eleven percent of this year's acreage was denting, 5 percentage points ahead of last year but 1 percentage point behind average.

By August 16, seventy-six percent of the corn acreage was at or beyond the dough stage, 26 percentage points ahead of last year and 7 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By August 16, twenty-three percent of this year's acreage was denting, 10 percentage points ahead of last year but 1 percentage point behind average. By August 23, eighty-eight percent of the corn acreage was at or beyond the dough stage, 22 percentage points ahead of last year and 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By August 23, forty-four percent of this year's crop acreage was denting, 20 percentage points ahead of last year and 5 percentage points ahead of average. Five percent of the Nation's corn was mature by August 23, three percentage points ahead of last year but equal to the average. By August 30, ninety-four percent of the corn acreage was at or beyond the dough stage, 16 percentage points ahead of last year and 5 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average.

By August 30, sixty-three percent of this year's acreage was denting, 26 percentage points ahead of last year and 7 percentage points ahead of average. Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin had advances of 20 percentage points or more from the previous week. Twelve percent of the Nation's corn was mature by August 30, seven percentage points ahead of last year and 2 percentage points ahead of average. Based on conditions as of August 30, sixty-two percent of the Nation's corn acreage was rated in good to excellent condition, 4 percentage points above the same time last year.

Corn: Production by Year, US