The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released county acreage and production estimates for major row crops on Feb. 23, 2024.
These figures, combined with the small grain estimates released on Dec. 15, 2023, are the direct result of an extensive data collection effort that included the September and December Agricultural surveys and their corresponding County Agricultural Production surveys.
These surveys utilize sampling methodology that identifies sample sizes that can produce figures with a high level of accuracy while minimizing survey burden. Not every farmer will be contacted any given year. The sampling process produces a rotation of names, so all growers are likely to be contacted at some point.
There are instances where some counties may not be published individually. This is the result of insufficient data collected for that county. While samples drawn are sufficient to produce publishable numbers, the surveys that collect data are voluntary. Low participation rates may prevent NASS from producing statistically reliable estimates for that county.
Below are some highlights.
The three highest county average corn yields were found in Clinton County, with 234.4 bushels per acre; Montgomery County, with 228.0 bushels per acre; and Johnson County, with 224.4 bushels per acre.
The top three corn producing counties were Benton County, with 27.2 million bushels; Jasper County, with 27.2 million bushels; and Montgomery County, with 25.7 million bushels.
The three highest county average soybean yields were found in Hendricks County, with 69.8 bushels per acre; Tipton County, with 69.3 bushels per acre; and Putnam County, with 67.7 bushels per acre.
The top three soybean producing counties were Knox County, with 7.04 million bushels; Clinton County, with 6.90 million bushels; and Randolph County, with 6.74 million bushels.
The three highest county average winter wheat yields were found in Howard County, with 111.3 bushels per acre; Henry County, with 111.3 bushels per acre; and Pike County, with 110.4 bushels per acre.
The top three winter wheat producing counties were Gibson County, with 1.92 million bushels; Posey County, with 1.47 million bushels; and Allen County, with 1.27 million bushels.
County estimates for 2023 and all previous years are available via the Quick Stats database at nass.usda.gov. Maps and tables for recent years are available at nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Indiana/Publications/County_Estimates/index.php.
Jackson County esimates were not available at this time,