Wheat projected at 64 bushels per acre; all-farm price index up 2 points

The Illinois wheat yield for the 2013 crop is estimated to average 64 bushels per acre, based on the June 1 surveys, up one bushel from the May 1 forecast, and up one bushel from last year. Total production would be 51.2 million bushels, an increase of 26 percent from the 2012 production of 40.6 million bushels. Farmers expect to harvest 800,000 acres for grain this year, 155,000 more than in 2012. As of June 9, 68 percent of the wheat crop was filled, compared the five-year average of 87 percent. Thirty-nine percent of the crop was turning yellow, compared to the five-year average of 58 percent.
As of June 9, the wheat crop advanced to 39 percent turning yellow, compared to 95 percent for the previous year and 58 percent for the five-year average. Sixty-eight percent of the wheat crop was filled, compared to 100 percent last year and 87 percent for the five-year average. The condition of the wheat crop was rated 11 percent excellent, 57 percent good, 28 percent fair and 4 percent poor.
As of June 9, the corn crop was 89 percent emerged, compared to 100 percent last year. The crop had reached an average height of 10 inches, compared to 28 inches last year and the five-year average of 15 inches. The corn condition, as of June 9, was 11 percent excellent, 47 percent good, 29 percent fair, 10 percent poor and 3 percent very poor.
Sixty-two percent of the soybean acreage had been planted by June 9, compared to 99 percent last year and 80 percent for the five-year average. Forty-three percent of the crop was emerged, compared to 95 percent last year and 63 percent for the five-year average.
As of June 9, 58 percent of the sorghum crop had been planted,  compared to 81 percent last year and the five-year average of 46 percent.
Forty-six percent of the oat acreage was headed, compared to 61 percent last year and the five-year average of 50 percent. Ten percent of the crop was filled, compared to 37 percent last year and the five-year average of 21 percent. Oat condition, as of June 9, was rated as 11 percent excellent, 51 percent good, 33 percent fair, 4 percent poor, and 1 percent very poor.
The first cutting of alfalfa hay had reached 40 percent complete,  compared to 98 percent last year and the five-year average of 68 percent. Second cutting was 0 percent, compared to 27 percent last year and 7 percent for the five-year average. Alfalfa hay was rated 15 percent excellent, 56 percent good, 23 percent fair, 5 percent poor and 1 percent very poor. Red clover cut had reached 44 percent complete, compared to 98 percent last year and the five-year average of 58 percent. Red clover was rated 10 percent excellent, 72 percent good, 15 percent fair and 3 percent poor, as of June 9.
Pasture was rated 30 percent excellent, 59 percent good, 10 percent fair and 1 percent poor.
Topsoil moisture was 36 percent surplus and 64 percent adequate.
Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.51 billion bushels, up 2 percent from the May 1 forecast, but down 8 percent from 2012. Based on June 1 conditions, the United States yield is forecast at 46.1 bushels per acre, up 0.7 bushel from last month, but down 1.1 bushels from last year. As of June 2, 32 percent of the winter wheat crop in the 18 major producing states was rated in good to excellent condition, 20 percentage points below the same week in 2012. Nationally, 73 percent of the winter wheat crop was headed by June 2, seven percentage points behind the five-year average pace.
Forecasted head counts from the objective yield survey in the three Soft Red Winter states (Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio) are above last year’s levels in Illinois and Missouri, but below in Ohio. Excessive spring precipitation in Illinois and Missouri reduced crop conditions during May.
Milk production in Illinois during April 2013 totaled 173 million pounds, no change from April 2012. The number of milk cows on farms averaged 100,000 head for April 2012, 2,000 head higher than last year. Milk per cow averaged 1,730 pounds, 50 pounds above April 2011.
Estimated milk production in the U.S. during April 2013 totaled 16.1 billion pounds, up 48 million pounds from April 2013. Production per cow averaged 1,854 pounds for April 2012, 40 pounds above April 2011. The number of milk cows on farms in the U.S. was 9.3 million head in April 2012, an increase of 90,000 head from April 2011.
Mid-month May Prices Received by Illinois farmers decreased for corn, wheat and other hay, while increasing for soybeans and alfalfa hay. Prices for all commodities are higher than they were last year at this time.
The U.S. preliminary All-Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in May, at 194 percent (based on 1990-992=100), increased 2 points (1 percent) from April. The Crop Index is down 1 point (.5 percent) but the Livestock Index increased 6 points (3.7 percent). Producers received higher prices for eggs, hogs, soybeans and broilers. Prices were lower for corn and wheat. In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a three-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly movement of broilers, sweet corn and hay offset decreased marketings of soybeans, apples, wheat and oranges.
The April Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 219 percent of the 1990-1992 average. The index is unchanged from April, but 4 points (1.9 percent) above May 2012. Higher prices in May for nitrogen, gasoline, other machinery and supplies offset lower prices for concentrates, feeder cattle, diesel and complete feeds.