Based on October 1 conditions, Nebraska’s corn crop is forecast at 1.51 billion bushels, down 1% from last month and 4% below last year’s record high, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.

Yield is forecast at 170 bushels per acre, 9 bushels below last month and 8 bushels below the record high set last year. However, both 2010 production and yield remain the second highest of record. Acreage for harvest was increased 350,000 acres to 8.9 million, 1% above a year ago.

Soybean production is forecast at a record high 281 million bushels, 5% below last month but still 8% above the previous record set last year.

Yield is forecast at a record high 55 bushels per acre, unchanged from last month and 0.5 bushel above the previous high set in 2009. Area for harvest was decreased 250,000 acres to a record high 5.1 million, up 7% from 2009.

Sorghum production is forecast at 7.05 million bushels, up 15% from last month due to an increase in harvested acres. This production is still 46% below a year ago and the smallest since 1953.

Yield at 94 bushels per acre is unchanged from the previous month but up 1 bushel from last year. Harvested acreage was increased 10,000 acres to 75,000 but down 46% from previous year and smallest since 1947.

Sunflower production is up 43% due to increased acreage and yield from a year ago. Dry edible bean production is up 37% from last year due to more acres.

Sugarbeet production is down 19% from 2009, a result of fewer acres for harvest and a lower yield.

Alfalfa hay production is forecast to be 4% higher and all other hay production is unchanged compared to a year ago. Acreage updates to planted and harvested acres from levels published in the September Crop Production Report were made based on a review of administrative data.