Yields are expected to average 3.43 tons per acre, up 0.11 tons from August, but down 0.07 tons from 1999. Harvested area is 23.3 million acres, down 2 percent from August, and down 3 percent from 1999 Record yields in eleven Midwest and Eastern States are offset by drought conditions in the West. Drought conditions have reduced yield in the Southern Plains where Kansas has reported a 0.40 ton reduction from the August forecast. Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Montana, and Oregon have also reported reduced yields. Montana alfalfa acreage is down 450 thousand acres.
Eastern States continue their recovery from last year's drought.
Yields are expected to average 1.90 tons per acre, slightly below the August forecast of 1.94 tons and last year's yield of 1.92 tons. Harvested area is estimated at 38.3 million acres, down less than 1 percent from the August forecast, and down 2 percent from the 39.2 million acres harvested in 1999. This year's acreage will be the second highest since 1962. Eleven States, mostly in the east, are reporting record yields as they continue to recover from last year's drought. However, Idaho and Nebraska are reporting record yields.