By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
Farmers in Texas produced less corn and sorghum this year, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS).
Cotton, soybean and peanut production increased, according to the November Crop Production Report released Nov. 9.
Cotton
Low prices for other commodities led more Texas farmers to plant cotton this year. Production is estimated at 9.1 million bales, according to NASS.
That’s 12 percent higher than the eight million bales produced last year. Farmers produced 5.72 million bales in 2015.
Yields averaged 753 pounds per acre this year, which is higher than the 748 pounds per acre produced last year.
In 2015, yields averaged 610 pounds.
About 5.8 million acres were harvested this year in Texas, up 12 percent from 2016.
Soybeans
Low prices on other commodities also led farmers to produce more soybeans this year.
Production is estimated at 7.03 million bushels, which is up 56 percent over last year. Production in 2016 was 4.5 million bushels. In 2015, production was about 2.99 million bushels.
Yields in Texas averaged 38 bushels per acre, which is higher than the average 31 bushels per acre achieved in 2016.
About 185,000 acres of soybeans were harvested this year. That’s 28 percent higher than 2016.
Peanuts
Peanut production in Texas is 72 percent higher than last year at 962 million pounds.
Last year, production was 560 million pounds. In 2015, production was 528 million pounds.
Yields are forecast at 3,700 pounds per acre. That’s 970 pounds per acre higher than last year.
An estimated 260,000 acres will be harvested in Texas this year. That’s up 27 percent.
Corn
Texas farmers produced less corn, but had higher yields than last year.
NASS reports production is at 311 million bushels in Texas. That’s down four percent over the 324 million bushels produced in 2016.
About 135 million bushels were produced in 2015.
Statewide yields averaged 142 bushels per acre this year. That’s 15 bushels an acre higher than last year when yields averaged 127 bushels per acre.
Yields averaged 135 bushels per acre in 2015.
About 2.19 million acres of corn were harvested for grain this year, which is down 14 percent from last year.
Sorghum
Texas sorghum production was around 96 million bushels this year, which is down 17 percent over last year’s 115.5 million bushels.
Production in 2015 was about 149.5 million bales in Texas.
Yields averaged 64 bushels per acre, which is down two bushels per acre from last year. In 2015, yields averaged 61 bushels per acre.
NASS reports 1.5 million acres were harvested this year. That’s 14 percent lower than 2016.
The report is compiled using data from surveys sent to Texas farmers.
Actual plant counts and boll weights are collected from small plots and are used in connection with grower surveys to forecast yield and production of Texas cotton.