Indiana Corn, Soybean Crops Hit Hardest in Drought
By: Michael C. Fehn
Updated: August 10, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The nation's worst drought in decades is expected to take a big bite out of Indiana's two main crops.
Federal crop projections released Friday show Indiana's corn production is expected to drop 28 percent from last year to 605 million bushels, while Indiana's soybean crop will fall 22 percent to 185 million bushels.
Although the government's estimates show Indiana's average per-acre corn yields will fall 32 percent from last year to 100 bushels, Purdue farm economist Chris Hurt says the actual drop will be 40 percent if compared with the 20-year yield average of 165 acres.
Indiana's soybean yields are projected to fall 18 percent from last year to 37 bushels, but Hurt says the actual drop will be 23 percent compared with the 20-year yield average of 48 bushels.
Federal crop projections released Friday show Indiana's corn production is expected to drop 28 percent from last year to 605 million bushels, while Indiana's soybean crop will fall 22 percent to 185 million bushels.
Although the government's estimates show Indiana's average per-acre corn yields will fall 32 percent from last year to 100 bushels, Purdue farm economist Chris Hurt says the actual drop will be 40 percent if compared with the 20-year yield average of 165 acres.
Indiana's soybean yields are projected to fall 18 percent from last year to 37 bushels, but Hurt says the actual drop will be 23 percent compared with the 20-year yield average of 48 bushels.
