The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service is forecasting a record soybean crop this fall, but corn production in the state is expected to be down from last year. In its monthly crop update the agency says that the state’s expected corn production of 782 million bushels is down 2% from a year ago.
Kansas is projected to harvest 5.75 million acres of corn this season, with yields averaging 136 bushels per acre.
Soybean production in the state is forecast at a record 231 million bushels, up 24% from last year. Kansas farmers planted a record 5.25 million acres into soybeans this year.
Kansas growers are also expected to harvest 217 million bushels of sorghum for grain, up 6% from a year ago. About 2.55 million acres are forecast to be harvested of sorghum.
Cotton production is forecast at 320,000 bales, up 14% from last year.
The forecasts are based on conditions as of September 1st.