The following is the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s California crop production report for November. The report is the result of surveys conducted in late October.

• Corn

Corn for grain production in California is expected to total 630,000 tons, down 32 percent from last year. Harvested acreage of 125,000 is down 26 percent. The yield forecast of 5.04 tons per acre is down 8 percent from the previous year.

• Cotton

American Pima cotton production in California is forecast at 330,000 bales, unchanged from last month’s forecast, but down 18 percent from the 2008 crop. Harvested acreage is estimated at 127,000 acres with an average yield of 1,247 pounds per acre.

Upland cotton is forecast at 218,000 bales, unchanged from last month’s forecast, but down 41 percent from last year. With 70,000 harvested acres, the yield is 1,495 pounds per acre.

As of Nov. 1, cotton harvest was nearly complete in Kern and Fresno counties while Tulare and Merced counties advanced towards completion under mostly dry weather conditions.

• Rice

All rice production in California is forecast at 46.7 million cwt. for 2009, up 8 percent from the previous year. The yield forecast is 8,500 pounds per acre. The harvested acreage is estimated at 549,000.

March was an unseasonably dry month and field preparation started early. Rice planting commenced in early April with most planting completed by June 1. Most strands of rice were healthy in all California rice-belt growing regions. Weed and disease control has been manageable. Harvest began during the middle of September and is ongoing.

• Sugar beets

California sugar beet production is forecast at 984,000 tons, down 2 percent from the 2008 crop. Harvested acreage is estimated at 24.6 thousand. The yield forecast is 40 tons per acre.

In summary, production forecasts are released on a monthly basis and do not reflect final production estimates. Late fall harvests may change these forecasts.

The next production forecast will be released Dec. 10.