Not to mention that production (bushels per acre) over the years has increased substantially. In the 60s a 100 bu/acre wasa bumper crop on the bestground. Now yields could be as much as 185 bu/acre. If we quit using corn to fuel cars, there should be enough to go around for food production for a very long time.
East central Illinois: Haven’t talked to the farmer in church for a few weeks, he’s been too busy harvesting, but early on there were a significant number of reports of 300 bu/acre. He was looking at an average of above 270. Just heard from our farmer in southeast Nebraska - reported a dry land yield of 173 bu/acre. Up to about 10-15 years ago dry land farmers there and in Kansas used to raise milo instead of corn since it was more drought tolerant. Someone let Monsanto loose and the current corn hybrids will produce and milo has pretty much disappeared.
2012 was the worst drought year in the corn belt, but 2013 was also quite dry after the end of June. However, there was a record corn yield in 2012. This year, 2014, was nearly ideal for growing and the dept of ag prediction of a record yield looks low.