Lack of adequate moisture has reduced prospects in most western Corn Belt States. Total production is forecast at 381 million bushels, down 2 percent from last month, but 74 percent above the drought reduced crop of 1988. The expected yield per acre is forecast at 52.3 bushels compared with last season's average of 39.1 bushels. Area harvested and to be harvested at 7.28 million acres, is up 30 percent from last year's 5.59 million acres. Yields in the major producing States of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota are up sharply from last year's drought reduced levels.
Harvest is nearly complete as far north as Iowa and well under way in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Oat harvest in South Dakota is behind last year but ahead of normal. Total production is forecast at 392 million bushels, down 12 percent from last month, but 35 percent above the drought reduced crop of 1988. The expected yield per acre is forecast at 45.8 bushels compared with last season's average of 38.6 bushels. Area harvested and to be harvested at 8.56 million acres, is 14 percent above last year's 7.54 million acres. Yields in the major producing States of North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota are up considerably from the drought levels of 1988.