Record yields for state soybean and corn farmers in 2017, combined with higher yields for cotton and peanuts, raised the value of Alabama crops by nearly $100 million over 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Alabama’s 11 percent increase in crop values bucks a national trend, where American farmers typically saw a slight decrease in the value of last year’s crops. Alabama’s crop value increased for soybeans, corn, cotton, hay and peanuts in 2017, while winter wheat and cottonseed experienced slight declines.

“The increase is good news for Alabama farmers, but it’s important to remember production costs for farmers also rose,” said the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Carla Hornady. “Farmers experienced lower prices for their crops in 2017, so they needed increased yields to overcome higher costs for seed, fertilizer, equipment and labor.”

In addition to favorable weather for much of the state last year, on-farm investments like irrigation and soil analysis helped farmers increase their income, Hornady said.

2017 Crop Yields And Value

Soybeans: 46 bushels per acre, $155.5 million 

Corn: 167 bushels per acre, $157 million

Cotton: 904 pounds per acre, $266 million

Peanuts: 3,650 pounds per acre, $156 million

Hay: 2.5 tons per acre, $208 million

Learn more at nass.usda.gov.