Delaware reports record soybean harvest in 2017

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service released its final crop production numbers for 2017. Overall, Delaware farmers had a good year, with some of the crops breaking records.

"When we look at the USDA's production summary, it confirms what we saw as we moved throughout the state. We had good weather, and Delaware farmers were able to get into the fields at key points throughout the season," said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. "Yields such as we had in 2017 are good news for our farmers, and for poultry growers and processors who use much of the grain grown here for feed."

The Mid-Atlantic region including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia saw record-high yields for soybean production. Much of this was attributed to the weather and proper planting time. Delaware was one of nine states to break record-high yields for soybeans, with yields of 51 bushels per acre, up 22.9 percent from 2016. Delaware produced more than 8 million bushels of soybeans in 2017.

Delaware corn growers produced 32.3 million bushels in 2017. This past year's corn crop was the third-highest yield, with 189 bushels per acre, up 11.2 percent from 2016.

Other notable crop records for Delaware included winter wheat up 8.9 percent at 73 bushels per acre from 2016. All hay area harvested produced a yield of 3.28 tons per acre with 59,000 tons produced.

For the full Crop Production 2017 Summary, go to www.nass.usda.gov/Publications. The report contains year-end acreage, yield and production estimates for grains and hay; oilseeds; cotton, tobacco and sugar; dry beans, peas and lentils; and potatoes and miscellaneous crops.