Despite an unusually wet spring followed by an unusually cool June, U.S. corn farmers planted even more than they did last year. U.S. farmers have planted 91.7 million acres of corn in 2019, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). That’s about 3% more corn than last year, far more acres than the next largest crop, soybeans.
USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) in its monthly Feed Outlook report said corn farmers faced one of the most challenging planting seasons in recent memory, and while the corn did get planted, farmers planted much of it later than usual. In early July, 57% of the crop was reported to be in good or excellent condition, while last year 75% was reported good or excellent by that time. Based on the late start to the crop and the continued cool weather, the USDA is forecasting slightly lower yields than last year. At present, however, the USDA forecasts that corn supplies will be sufficient to meet demand because farmers have plenty of corn stored from last year’s crop. Read more