News
USDA sees bigger sorghum crop
The USDA is projecting a bigger U.S. sorghum crop as producers increase acreage to meet demand, especially export demand from China. China’s primary uses for sorghum are livestock feed and beverage alcohol.
Production this year is expected to be 409.385 million bushels, up 10% from last year, with an average yield of 70.8 bushels per acre, compared to 69 a month ago and 73.2 bushels per acre a year ago.
This estimate is based on producer surveys with the first projection using objective field data out September 10th.
The USDA raised the ending stocks projection for new crop sorghum 1 million bushels to 18 million, with a month to month increase in production mostly cancelling out an expected rise in feed use. Old crop stocks were steady at 13 million bushels. The average new crop farm price is estimated at $6.15 per bushel, compared to $6 last month and $5 for the current marketing year. The new marketing year on sorghum starts September 1st.
Comparisons for Brownfield states:
Kansas: 240 million bushels, compared to 238 million in 2020; average yield of 80 bushels per acre, compared to 85 a year ago; harvested area of 3 million acres, compared to 2.8 million last year
Nebraska: 18.86 million bushels, compared to 13.65 million in 2020; average yield of 82 bushels per acre, compared to 91 a year ago; harvested area of 230,000 acres, compared to 150,000 last year
South Dakota: 13.44 million bushels, compared to 11.36 million in 2020; average yield of 64 bushels per acre, compared to 71 a year ago; harvested area of 210,000 acres, compared to 160,000 last year
The 3rd paragraph statement in this 13 August email does not make sense to me:
This estimate is based on producer surveys with the first projection using objective field data out September 10th.
IMO – Sept 10th is still about 4 weeks into the future.