Wisconsin Ag Connection - Wisconsin Crop Production Values Were Lower Last Year

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Wisconsin Crop Production Values Were Lower Last Year
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 02/18/2009

The value of principal crops produced in Wisconsin in 2008 is estimated to be worth $3.40 billion, down from $3.47 billion in 2007, but up significantly from $2.64 billion in 2006. The state's agriculture department announced that commercial vegetables accounted for $209 million of the total value, fruits and nuts for $284 million, and field and miscellaneous crops made up the remaining $2.90 billion in value for 2008.

The price of Wisconsin's 2008 corn crop was down 61 cents from the previous marketing year, averaging $3.50 per bushel. The total value of the corn crop was $1.38 billion. Nationally, corn sold for an average $3.90 per bushel, and had a total value of $47.4 billion.

Soybeans were valued at $512 million. Prices averaged $9.20 per bushel, down 63 cents from last year. Nationally, the soybean crop was valued at $27.4 billion, based on an average selling price of $9.25 per bushel.

The value of Wisconsin dry alfalfa hay production increased 39 percent for 2008, reaching $462 million. The average price was $114 per ton, up $25 from 2007. The value for all other hay types at $59.7 million increased as well, rising 53 percent from 2007. The average price of $78.50 was an increase of $20.50 per ton from 2007.

The value of a crop is its average sale price times total production, and does not include allowances or adjustments for commodities under government loan at the end of the marketing year, commodities forfeited to the Commodity Credit Corporation, loan deficiency payments, direct and counter cyclical payments, or disaster payments. Preliminary market year average prices for 2008 are based on price data through December 2008 with allowances made for the remainder of the crop left to be marketed.

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