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Sorghum production fell sharply in 2022

U.S. sorghum production dropped in 2022 following a big decrease in acreage and a significant decline in yield due to drought.

Production was reported at 187.785 million bushels, 58% below the 2021 total, with an average yield of 41.1 bushels per acre, a year-to-year loss of 27.9 on the year with many key growing areas heavily impacted by drought.

That drought also caused a big jump in abandoned acres, with harvested area falling nearly 2 million acres while planted area was down less than a million.

The USDA’s 2023 prospective planting numbers are out at the end of March.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Kansas: 105.3 million bushels, compared to 265.2 million in 2021; Average Yield: 39 bushels per acre, compared to 78 a year ago; Harvested Area: 2.7 million acres, compared to 3.4 million last year

Nebraska: 6.875 million bushels, compared to 19.78 million in 2021; Average Yield: 55 bushels per acre, compared to 86 a year ago; Harvested Area: 125,000 acres, compared to 230,000 last year

South Dakota: 11.9 million acres, compared to 13.44 million in 2021; Average Yield: 68 bushels per acre, compared to 64 a year ago; Harvested Area: 175,000 acres, compared to 210,000 last year