Crop Insurance Today May 2015 - (Page 8)

Figure 6. U.S. Crop Conditions, 2014: Share of Crop Rated " Good" to "Excellent" 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% Corn Soybeans Spring wheat Cotton 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Week in 2012 (Week 35 ended August 31, 2014) By November 2, producers had planted 90 percent of the U.S. intended winter wheat acreage for the 2015 crop year, equal to the 2014 crop and slightly ahead of the five-year average. Fall seedings totaled 40.5 million acres, five percent below the year earlier. Overall, 59 percent of the 2015 winter wheat crop was reported in good-to-excellent condition at the end of the month, four percentage points below the same time in 2013. As the year ended, rain and snow provided beneficial moisture across winter wheat areas of the Central and Southern Plains, although continuing drought in the Southern Plains and late planting and poor establishment in parts of the Corn Belt troubled the 2015 winter wheat crop. Late precipitation also afforded some drought relief in California helping pastures, but groundwater depletion and low reservoir levels continued to be an issue. Precipitation also spread into other areas of the West, although snowpack was limited by warm conditions. Table 1 indicates 2014 production totals for major crops based on the annual end-ofyear estimates reported by USDA's National Figure 7. Fall 2014 (Jun-Aug) Statewide Precipitation Ranks, 1895-2014 Record Driest (1) 8 MAY2015 Much Below Average Below Average Near Average Above Average Much Above Average Record Wettest (119) Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). With generally more favorable weather and higher overall planted area than in 2013, production of many crops was up in 2014. NASS estimates record-high corn yield and production at 171.1 bushels per acre and 14.22 billion bushels, respectively. As for other feed grains, even though planted area declined, grain sorghum production is estimated at 433 million bushels in 2014, up slightly over 10 percent from 2013, as harvested area relative to planted area improved. Average yield, at 67.6 bushels per acre, is also up eight bushels from 2013. Despite a good yield, barley production fell 18 percent under reduced plantings. With soybean planted area up as corn area contracted, NASS estimates record-high yields and production for the 2014 soybean crop-just as for corn-with average yield of 47.8 bushels per acre and production of 3.97 billion bushels. Other oilseeds also saw gains, with sunflower production up 10 percent over 2013, despite slightly lower planted area, as South Dakota led the nation in production. Much higher planted area boosted 2014 canola production by 14 percent, even though yields were off a bit, with North Dakota being the leading production state. Peanut acreage was up 27 percent in 2014, helping to boost production by 25 percent over 2013. Although there were late season weather issues, spring wheat production is estimated at 595 million bushels for 2014, up 11 percent from 2013. U.S. average yield is estimated at 46.7 bushels per acre, down slightly from 2013, with the Dakotas having record-high yields. Upland cotton production is estimated at 15.5 million bales, up a substantial 26 percent from 2013, although U.S. upland cotton average yield is estimated at 781 pounds per acre, down 21 pounds from 2013. With increased plantings, rice production in 2014 is estimated at 221 million cwt, up 16 percent from 2013. However, planted acreage in California for 2014 declined 23 percent due to the ongoing drought. With generally better weather across much of the country, production of all dry hay is estimated at 139.8 million tons, up four percent from 2013. Among other crops, production of dry edible beans is estimated at up 19 percent from last year as planted area increased 26 percent from 2013. Production of dry edible peas is estimated up 10 percent as planted area rose nine percent.

Crop Insurance Today May 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crop Insurance Today May 2015