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Report dampens optimism over Kansas corn harvestWICHITA, Kan. (AP)--The state's corn harvest for this year may not break any records as once anticipated, but it's still likely to be most bountiful crop produced in Kansas this season, a new report shows. The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reported Oct. 10 that corn production in the state is now expected to be 6 percent lower than last month's forecast. The new estimate of 493.2 million bushels is 5 percent below last year's crop. In its monthly crop production forecast, the agency said corn yields are expected to average 137 bushels per acre, an average of a 3 bushels per acre less than a year ago. Kansas farmers planted fewer acres of corn than statisticians had calculated in earlier, more optimistic reports. Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service now estimates the state's corn acreage at 3.8 million, down 300,000 acres from last month's forecast and down 100,000 acres from a year ago. But the October production outlook is more favorable for soybean growers. The agency forecast soybean production in Kansas to set a record of 115.2 million bushels. That's a jump of 34 percent over last year's crop and 6 percent over last month's estimate. Among other Kansas crops, the sorghum forecast of 209 million bushels is unchanged from a month ago and down 1 percent from last year. Kansas' sunflower production is estimated at 310.8 million pounds. That represents a 33 percent increase from a year ago. The wheat harvest this season brought in 356 million bushels, about 25 percent higher than the previous freeze-plagued crop. The latest government forecast also pegs the nation's corn production at 12.2 billion bushels, or 7 percent below last year's crop. 10/20/08 Date: 10/16/08
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