FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/12/05
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: JAMES E. RAMEY
(614) 728-2100
REYNOLDSBURG, OH

Based on conditions as of August 1, Ohio's average corn yield is forecast
at 135 bushels per acre, down 23 bushels per acre from last years record
State yield of 158 bushels per acre. If realized, total State production of
434.7 million bushels would be 12 percent less than was produced in 2004.
Corn growers expect to harvest 3.22 million acres for grain in 2005,
110,000 acres more than the previous year.

Soybean yields are forecast at 42 bushels per acre, down five bushels per
acre from the record 2004 average State yield. If realized, total State
production of 186.1 million bushels would be down 10 percent from last
year. Harvested acreage is forecast at 4.43 million acres, 10,000 more than
was harvested in 2004.

Winter Wheat yields are estimated at 70 bushels per acre, two bushels
higher than the previous forecast and the second highest State yield on
record. This yield would result in a total production of 58.1 million
bushels, 5.3 percent more than was produced in the 2004 crop year. Acreage
for harvest is estimated at 830,000 acres, down 60,000 acres from the
previous year.

Ohio's oat yield is forecast at 61 bushels per acre, down two bushels from
2004. If realized, this would result in a total State production of 3.66
million bushels from an expected 60,000 harvested acres.

Alfalfa hay yields are forecast at 3.5 tons per acre, compared to last
year's average yield of 3.2 tons. If realized, this would result in a
total State production of 1.82 million tons, up 21 percent from last year.
Producers intend to harvest 520,000 acres in 2005, up 50,000 from last
year.

All other hay yields are forecast at 2.4 tons per acre. This is identical
to the 2004 average yield. If realized, this yield would result in a total
production of nearly 1.73 million tons, also identical to the previous
year. Acreage for harvest is forecast at 720,000 acres.

U.S. corn production is forecast at 10.3 billion bushels, down 12 percent
from last year but 3 percent above 2003. Based on conditions as of August
1, yields are expected to average 139.2 bushels per acre, down 21.2 bushels
from the record high last year. With the exception of Michigan, forecast
yields are lower in all of the Corn Belt States as warm, dry weather
throughout the growing season depleted soil moisture levels and stressed
the crop. U.S. soybean production is forecast at 2.79 billion bushels, down
11 percent from 2004 but up 14 percent from 2003. Based on August 1
conditions, yields are expected to average 38.7 bushels per acre, down 3.8
bushels from the record high U.S. yield set last year. All wheat
production, at the U.S. level is estimated at 2.17 billion bushels, down 2
percent from the July forecast but up slightly from 2004. Based on August 1
conditions, the U.S. yield is forecast at 43.0 bushels per acre, down 0.8
bushel from last month and 0.2 bushel below last year. The final U.S.
winter wheat production forecast is 1.52 billion bushels. This is down
slightly from last month but 1 percent above 2004. Area harvested for grain
totals 34.3 million acres, unchanged from last month but down 1 percent
from last year. The U.S. yield is forecast at 44.4 bushels per acre, down
0.1 bushel from last month.