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County Estimates Highlights Michigan Production
Michigan Ag Connection - 03/19/2018

The National Agricultural Statistics Service released county acreage and production estimates for major row crops. These figures, combined with the small grain estimates released on December 14, 2017, constitute a map that depicts the variation among counties for the major cash grains. These numbers are the direct result of an extensive data collection that included the September and December Agricultural Surveys and their corresponding County Agricultural Production Surveys. These surveys are the product of sampling methodology that identifies sample sizes that can produce figures with a high level of accuracy while minimizing survey burden. Not every farmer will be contacted any given year. Though the sampling process produces a rotation of names, so all growers are likely to be contacted at some point.

There are instances where some counties may not be published individually but are accounted for in a group of combined counties for a given district. This is the result of insufficient data collected for that county. While samples drawn are sufficient to produce a publishable number, the surveys that collect data are voluntary. Low participation in the surveys prevent NASS from producing a statistically reliable estimate for that county.

Like most states in the region, variability was the theme for the year. Adverse conditions early in the season presented challenges for planting, fertilizing and weed control. Corn yields in central and south central Michigan were disappointing on average, though the southwestern district performed fairly well. The top three corn producing counties were Lenawee, with 15.9 million bushels; Sanilac, with 14.1 million bushels; and Huron, with 14.1 bushels. The three highest county average yields were found in Huron, with 197.9 bushels per acre; Lapeer, with 186.4 bushels per acre; and Sanilac, with 185.5 bushels per acre. The top three soybean producing counties were Lenawee, with 5.93 million bushels; Sanilac, with 5.91 million bushels; and Saginaw, with 4.9 million bushels. The three highest county average yields were found in Huron, with 52.3 bushels per acre; Ottawa, with 48.3 bushels per acre; and Kalamazoo, with 47.8 bushels per acre. The top three winter wheat producing counties were Huron, with 6.4 million bushels; Sanilac, with 3.7 bushels; and Tuscola, with 2.7 bushels. The three highest county average yields were found in Huron, with 99.9 bushels per acre; Sanilac, with 91.7 bushels per acre; and Tuscola, with 88.2 bushels per acre. While Huron County's leading yield was short of the 109.7 bushel record set last year, the county did place nationally in the top ten and was the only county outside Idaho or Colorado to make the list.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service would like to thank all those who supported this project through their participation. Our survey respondents play a vital role in an important service to U.S. Agriculture.


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