WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — U.S. 2011 corn production was estimated at 12,358,412,000 bushels, up slightly from 12,309,936,000 bushels forecast in November but down 1% from 12,446,865,000 bushels in 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in its annual Crop Production 2011 Summary on Jan. 12. Soybean production was estimated at 3,056,032,000 bushels, also up slightly from 3,045,558,000 bushels in November but down 8% from 3,329,181,000 bushels last year.

Both USDA production numbers were above the average of pre-report trade estimates of 12.280 billion bushels for corn and 3.042 billion bushels for soybeans.

Average corn yield was estimated at 147.2 bushels an acre, up 0.5 bushels from 146.7 bushels an acre in November but down 5.6 bushels from 152.8 bushels an acre as the final 2010 average yield. Harvested area was estimated at 83.9 million acres, up slightly from November and up 3% from 81.4 million acres in 2010.

Soybean yield was estimated at 41.5 bushels an acre, up 0.2 bushels from 41.3 bushels an acre in November but down 2 bushels from 43.5 bushels an acre in 2010. Harvested area was estimated at 73.6 million acres, down slightly from November and down 4% from 76.6 million acres in 2010.

The USDA yield numbers were above the average trade forecast of 146.4 bushels an acre for corn 41.3 bushels for soybeans.

Grain sorghum production in 2011 was estimated at 214,443,000 bushels, down 13% from 245,909,000 bushels in November and down 38% from 345,625,000 bushels in 2010, the USDA said. Harvested area of 3.93 million acres was down 18% from 2010 and the lowest since 1936.

U.S. 2011 rice production was estimated at 185,009,000 cwts, down 2% from 188,069,000 cwts forecast earlier and down 24% from 243,104,000 cwts in 2010.