Feed grain tonnage was higher for corn, which more than offset lower totals for sorghum, oats and barley. Dry edible bean production totaled 3.7 million cwt. Soybean yield per acre averaged 38.9 bushels for 1998, 0.3 bushel above the November 1 forecast. Production of dry edible beans is estimated at 30.8 million cwt. Production 1,000 Cwt.
Planted acres are for all purposes.
Increased plantings were noted in central and southern regions, accounting for much of the additional acreage. Seeding of the crop began near the first of September and proceeded ahead of normal for much of the planting season. Dry soils during September slowed emergence and caused stands to be uneven in a number of countries. However, October rains two to three times above normal over the Panhandle boosted crop conditions. This is the smallest area since 1972.