News

Silage production rises in 2020

The USDA says corn for silage production ticked higher in 2020 because of increased planted area and better yields.

Production totaled 137.729 million tons, up 4.207 million from 2019, with an average yield of 20.5 tons per acre, three tenths of a ton higher, and harvested area of 6.719 million acres.

Wisconsin took the top spot at 20.370 million tons, more than doubling second place California and well ahead of third place Minnesota.

The USDA’s 2021 prospective planting estimates are out at the end of March.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: 1.305 million tons, compared to 1.45 million in 2019; average yield of 15 tons per acre, compared to 16 a year ago; harvested area of 6,000 acres, compared to 7,000 last year

Illinois: 2.2 million tons, compared to 3.4 million in 2019; average yield of 20 tons per acre, compared to 20 a year ago; harvested area of 110,000 acres, compared to 170,000 last year

Indiana: 2.73 million tons, compared to 2.2 million in 2019; average yield of 21 tons per acre, compared to 20 a year ago; harvested area of 130,000 acres, compared to 110,000 last year

Iowa: 5.33 million tons, compared to 7.92 million in 2019; average yield of 20.5 tons per acre, compared to 22 a year ago; harvested area of 260,000 acres, compared to 360,000 last year

Michigan: 6.125 million tons, compared to 6.29 million in 2019; average yield of 17.5 tons per acre, compared to 18.5 a year ago; harvested area of 350,000 acres, compared to 340,000 last year

Minnesota: 9.66 million tons, compared to 8.74 million in 2019; average yield of 23 tons per acre, compared to 19 a year ago; harvested area of 420,000 acres, compared to 460,000 last year

Missouri: 1.7 million tons, compared to 1.12 million in 2019; average yield of 17 tons per acre, compared to 16 a year ago; harvested area of 100,000 acres, compared to 70,000 last year

Nebraska: 4.94 million tons, compared to 4.6 million in 2019; average yield of 19 tons per acre, compared to 23 a year ago; harvested area of 260,000 acres, compared to 200,000 last year

Ohio: 4.2 million tons, compared to 3.23 million in 2019; average yield of 21 tons per acre, compared to 19 a year ago; harvested area of 200,000 acres, compared to 170,000 last year

South Dakota: 6.48 million tons, compared to 5.95 million in 2019; average yield of 18 tons per acre, compared to 17.5 a year ago; harvested area of 360,000 acres, compared to 340,000 last year

Tennessee: 630,000 tons, compared to 800,000 in 2019; average yield of 18 tons per acre, compared to 20 a year ago; harvested area of 35,000 acres, compared to 40,000 last year

Wisconsin: 20.37 million tons, compared to 18.2 million in 2019; average yield of 21 tons per acre, compared to 17.5 a year ago; harvested area of 970,000 acres, compared to 1.04 million last year