the corn market

In 2006, U.S. corn producers harvested 70.6 million acres of corn with an average yield of 149 bushels per acre. Combined statistics show production of 10.5 billion bushels of corn. Seed companies continue to develop hybrids and genetically modify varieties for increased yield potential, vigor, novel traits, resistance to disease, insects and other pests. Research partnerships of private, academia and the farming sector have enhanced the efficiency and production capacity of the corn industry.

Michigan Corn Production/Usage Statistics
According to the Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service, corn producers plant an average of 2.2 million acres per year with approximately two million acres harvested, yielding an average of 147 bushels per acre, for a total crop of 288 million bushels. Of the state’s total production in 2006, approximately 130 million bushels were shipped out of state. In addition, 99 million bushels of corn is used in-state for animal feed and another 84 million bushels is used for ethanol and Distillers Dried Grains (DDGS) production.

Next to exporting corn, livestock feed is Michigan’s second largest corn usage, which breaks down further into various animal consumptions.

Corn Crop
Michigan is the second most agriculturally diverse state, behind California. Of Michigan’s field crops in 2005, corn acreage made up 34 percent or over two million acres. Yield per acre has increased over 60 bushels in the last thirty years to 147 bushels in 2006 and is projected to increase by at least 1.2 bushels per year.