News

USDA expects lower sorghum production

The USDA is projecting a smaller sorghum crop this year. Production is expected to be 353.745 million bushels, up from July’s guess of 309 million, but down from the 2018 total of 364.986 million bushels, with lower harvested area against a higher average yield. This year, the average yield is seen at 73.9 bushels per acre, compared to 72.1 a year ago, with harvested area of 4.785 million acres, compared to 5.061 million last year. The Farm Service Agency has planted area at 4,753,489 acres, including 167,847 prevented plant acres. Development is slower than average, but the crop is in better than a year ago condition.

The USDA also raised its new crop ending stocks estimate with that increased production guess expected to cancel out better feed, food, seed, and industrial use. The 2019/20 carryover is now projected at 54 million bushels, compared to 44 million in July and 60 million for 2018/19. The average farm price for the new marketing year is pegged at $3.30 per bushel, down a dime on the month, but up $.10 from old crop. The new marketing year for sorghum starts September 1st.

Sorghum production estimates and comparisons for Brownfield states:

Nebraska: Sorghum: 15.51 million bushels, compared to 15.98 million in 2018; average yield of 94 bushels per acre, unchanged from a year ago; harvested area of 165,000 acres, compared to 170,000 last year

South Dakota: Sorghum: 13.09 million bushels, compared to 16 million in 2018; average yield of 77 bushels per acre, compared to 80 a year ago; harvested area of 170,000 acres, compared to 200,000 last year