Government predicts big Ohio corn, soybean crops

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (AP) — The government is forecasting healthy corn and soybean crops in Ohio and across the country, despite earlier concerns about a cool growing season.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said today that the state will produce an estimated 518 million bushels of corn, up 23 percent from last year. Corn yields are expected to average 166 bushels per acre.

Ohio is expected to harvest 211 million bushels of soybeans, 31 percent more than in 2008. The state’s average soybean yield is forecast at 46 bushels per acre.

The government is forecasting that this year’s U.S. corn production will be the second highest on record while soybeans are expected to hit a new all-time high.