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U.S. winter wheat crop estimated at 1.47 billion bushels

 

The USDA estimates 2015 U.S. winter wheat production at 1.472 billion bushels with an average yield of 43.5 bushels per acre, both above last year’s levels. In 2014, U.S. winter wheat production totaled 1.378 billion bushels with an average yield of 42.6 bushels per acre. This year’s harvested area is seen at 33.838 million acres, compared to 32.304 million last year.

The USDA noted there was less winterkill in the Great Lakes region thanks to good snow cover, but there were increased incidences in the Dakotas and Colorado. Also, drought impacted crops in Kansas and Washington.

The top U.S. producing state is projected to be, far and away, Kansas at 272 million bushels, with Texas at 131.25 million and Oklahoma at 118.9 million. Oklahoma also saw a huge year to year jump in production from 47.6 million a year ago. The top expected yield is in Idaho at 81 bushels per acre. Oklahoma had the best year to year increase in yield, going from 17 last year to 29 this year, while California had the largest decline, from 80 in 2014 to 70 in 2015.

By class, U.S. hard red winter production is estimated at 853.356 million bushels, compared to 737.937 million last year, with soft red winter at 415.609 million bushels, compared to 455.297 million in 2014, and white winter at a combined 179.847 million bushels, compared to 184.292 million a year ago.

Illinois: Winter: 38.19 million bushels, compared to 44.89 million in 2014; average yield of 67 bushels per acre, unchanged from a year ago; harvested area of 570,000 acres, compared to 670,000 last year

Indiana: Winter: 22.57 million bushels, compared to 25.46 million in 2014; average yield of 74 bushels per acre, compared to 76 a year ago; harvested area of 305,000 acres, compared to 335,000 last year

Michigan: Winter: 38.76 million bushels, compared to 35.89 million in 2014; average yield of 76 bushels per acre, compared to 74 a year ago; harvested area of 510,000 acres, compared to 485,000 last year

Missouri: Winter: 43.2 million bushels, compared to 42.92 million in 2014; average yield of 60 bushels per acre, compared to 58 a year ago; harvested area of 720,000 acres, compared to 740,000 last year

Nebraska: Winter: 58.4 million bushels, compared to 71.05 million in 2014; average yield of 40 bushels per acre, compared to 49 a year ago; harvested area of 1.46 million acres, compared to 1.45 million last year

Ohio: Winter: 37.1 million bushels, compared to 40.33 million in 2014; average yield of 70 bushels per acre, compared to 74 a year ago; harvested area of 530,000 acres, compared to 545,000 last year

South Dakota: Winter: 48.4 million bushels, compared to 59.4 million in 2014; average yield of 44 bushels per acre, compared to 55 a year ago; harvested area of 1.1 million acres, compared to 1.08 million last year

Wisconsin: Winter: 16.33 million bushels, compared to 16.25 million in 2015; average yield of 71 bushels per acre, compared to 65 a year ago; harvested area of 230,000 acres, compared to 250,000 last year