Missouri crop forecasts for 2024

By Blake Jackson

Missouri's agricultural landscape is expected to see changes in 2024, according to the latest crop forecasts. Corn, soybeans, cotton, and rice acreage have all been adjusted compared to the previous year.

Corn acreage has decreased by 10% to 3.45 million acres, while harvested area is projected to decline by 11% to 3.26 million acres.

Despite the smaller acreage, corn yield is forecast to increase by 28 bushels per acre to 181 bushels per acre. As a result, total corn production is expected to rise by 5% to 590 million bushels.

Soybean acreage has increased by 5% to 5.90 million acres, and harvested area is projected to rise by 6% to 5.83 million acres.

Soybean yield is forecast to increase by 2 bushels per acre to 50 bushels per acre. This combination of increased acreage and yield is expected to boost soybean production by 10% to 291.5 million bushels.

Cotton acreage has increased by 19% to 400,000 acres, and harvested area is projected to rise by 15% to 380,000 acres.

However, cotton yield is forecast to decline by 123 pounds per acre to 1,238 pounds per acre. Despite the lower yield, total cotton production is expected to increase by 5% to 980,000 bales.

Rice acreage has increased by 7% to 220,000 acres, and harvested area is projected to rise by 7% to 214,000 acres.

Rice yield is forecast to decline by 390 pounds per acre to 7,600 pounds per acre. Despite the lower yield, total rice production is expected to increase by 2% to 16.3 million cwt.

Missouri crop production is expected to increase in 2024, driven by higher yields and increased acreage for soybeans, cotton, and rice. Corn production is also expected to increase, despite a decrease in acreage, due to a significant increase in yield.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev