 "The reports did not contain major surprises relative to
pre-report trade expectations," said Darrel Good. "Ongoing corn
planting delays in the eastern Corn Belt, however, are resulting
in some expectations of a modest shift from corn to soybean
acreage. In addition, corn yield expectations may be reduced as
a result of a significant portion of the crop being planted
after May 10."The USDA yield forecast of 155.4 bushels may be
a little optimistic -- even though it is 1.5 bushels below their
trend calculation, due to slow planting progress -- unless
summer weather is as favorable as last year's weather."
Good's comments came as he reviewed the USDA reports. On
Tuesday, the USDA released its first forecast of the size of
the 2009 U.S. winter wheat crop; revised forecasts of 2008-09
marketing year consumption of corn, soybeans and wheat; and
released the first projections of supply and consumption
prospects for the 2009-10 marketing year.
"The reports reflect prospects for a much smaller winter
wheat crop in the United States and smaller year-ending domestic
stocks of all three crops for the current marketing year," said
Good. "For 2009-10, the forecasts show a sharp decline in U.S.
year-ending feed grain stocks, larger foreign wheat stocks, and
larger U.S. and world stocks of soybeans."
The 2009 U.S. winter wheat crop is forecast at 1.502 billion
bushels, 366 smaller than the 2008 crop. Harvested acreage is
forecast at 33.995 million acres, 5.619 million less than
harvested last year, and the U.S. average yield is forecast at
44.2 bushels, three bushels below the 2008 average.
"Based on planting intentions and trend yield analysis,
production of other classes of wheat is forecast at 524 million
bushels, 108 million less than produced in 2008," said Good.
For the current U.S. wheat marketing year, which ends May 31,
the forecast of exports was increased by 30 million bushels; the
forecast of food use was reduced by 3 million bushels; and the
projection of year-ending stocks was reduced by 27 million, to a
total of 669 million bushels.
For the marketing year that begins on June 1, production is
forecast at 2.026 billion bushels, 474 million smaller than the
2008 harvest, while consumption is forecast at 2.173 billion
bushels, 88 million less than consumption during the current
year. Year-ending stocks are projected at 637 million bushels,
and the 2009-10 marketing year average farm price is expected to
be between $4.70 and $5.70 per bushel, compared with $6.85 for
the year just ending.
Production of wheat outside the United States in 2009-10 is
forecast at 602.5 million tons, down from 614.7 million in
2008-09. Year-ending stocks outside the United States are
forecast at 164.6 million tons, compared with 148.8 million for
the current year.
For the current U.S. corn marketing year, the projections of
both exports and ethanol use were increased by 50 million
bushels, resulting in a 100-million-bushel decline in the
projection of year-ending stocks. Those stocks are projected at
1.6 billion bushels.
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For the 2009-10 marketing year, U.S. corn production is forecast at
12.09 billion bushels, almost identical to the 2008 crop. Based on
planting intentions reported in March, acreage harvested for grain
is expected to total 77.8 million, about 800,000 less than harvested
in 2008.
"The projected 2009 U.S. average yield of 155.4 bushels is based
on 'the simple linear trend of the national average yield for
1990-2009 adjusted for 2009 planting progress,'" said Good. "That
yield is 1.5 bushels above the 2008 average."
Consumption of U.S. corn during the 2009-10 marketing year is
forecast at 12.56 billion bushels, up from 12.14 billion expected
for this year.
"The change reflects a 350-million-bushel increase in corn used
for ethanol, a 150-million-bushel increase in exports, a
100-million-bushel decline in feed use and a 20-million-bushel
increase in other processing uses of corn," said Good. "Year-ending
stocks are projected at a six-year low of 1.145 billion bushels."
For the current U.S. soybean marketing year, the projection of
the domestic crush was increased by 5 million bushels and the
projection of exports was increased by 30 million bushels, resulting
in a 35-million-bushel reduction in the forecast of year-ending
stocks.
"Those stocks are projected at a five-year low of 130 million
bushels," said Good. "Based on planting intentions, harvested
acreage of soybeans in 2009 is forecast at 75 million acres, about
400,000 more than were harvested in 2008.
"Based on '1998-2008 regional trend analysis,' the 2009 U.S.
average soybean yield is forecast at 42.6 bushels, three bushels
above the 2008 average. The result is an expected 2009 harvest of
3.195 billion bushels, 236 million larger than the 2008 crop."
Consumption during the year ahead is forecast at 3.107 billion
bushels, 61 million more than the projection for the current year.
Year-ending stocks are projected at 230 million bushels, and the
2009-10 marketing year average price is expected to be between $8.45
and $10.45 per bushel.
"Soybean production in South America in 2010 is expected to
rebound from the weather-reduced crop of 2009, resulting in a
buildup in inventories during the year ahead," he said.
[Text from file received
from the University
of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental
Sciences]
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