Kentucky farmers are preparing for a prosperous winter wheat harvest in 2023, with an expected yield of 34.0 million bushels, marking a significant 13% increase from the previous year. The Kentucky Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service released these optimistic projections, based on current crop conditions and assuming a normal growing season.
Last fall, farmers sowed 610,000 acres of winter wheat, with approximately 430,000 acres to be harvested for grain. The expected yield per acre is estimated to be 79.0 bushels, which is marginally lower by 1.0 bushels compared to 2022. Additionally, 180,000 acres will be utilized for other purposes such as cover crops for tobacco or for silage and hay production.
Recent reports indicate that as of May 7, winter wheat in Kentucky had received favorable ratings, with 2% classified as poor, 19% as fair, 67% as good, and 12% as excellent. Crop progress has also shown improvement, with 68% of the wheat headed, surpassing the figures recorded in the previous year and the five-year average.
On a national level, winter wheat production is forecasted to reach 1.13 billion bushels, demonstrating a 2% increase from 2022. The area allocated for grain or seed harvest is expected to reach 25.3 million acres, marking an 8% growth compared to the previous year. The U.S. yield per acre is projected to be 44.7 bushels, showing a slight decrease of 2.3 bushels from last year.
In addition, Kentucky farmers' on-farm hay stocks have declined since May 1, 2022, with current totals standing at 670,000 tons. Around 78% of hay stocks have been utilized since December 1, 2022. Nationally, U.S. hay stocks have also decreased, amounting to 14.5 million tons, down by 2.24 million tons from 2022.
With promising forecasts and positive crop conditions, Kentucky's farmers are optimistic about the forthcoming winter wheat harvest, which is poised to contribute to the state's agricultural success in 2023.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-Dleonis
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Wheat