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An Evaluation of Crop Forecast Accuracy for Corn and Soybeans: USDA and Private Information Agencies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Thorsten M. Egelkraut ,
Philip Garcia ,
Scott H. Irwin  and
Darrel L. Good
Thorsten M. Egelkraut
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Philip Garcia
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Scott H. Irwin
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Darrel L. Good
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
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Abstract

Using 1971-2000 data, we examine the accuracy of corn and soybean production forecasts provided by the USD A and two private agencies. All agencies improved their forecasts as the harvest progressed, and forecast errors were highly correlated and unbiased. The relative forecast accuracy of the agencies varied by crop and month. For corn, USDA's forecasts ranked as most accurate of the three agencies in all periods except for August during the recent period and improved most markedly as harvest progressed. For soybeans, forecast errors were very similar, with the private agencies ranking as most accurate for August and September and making largest relative improvements for August during the recent period. The USDA forecasts were dominant for October and November. Our findings identify several patterns of relative forecast accuracy that have implications for private and public decision makers.

Keywords

cornprivate agenciesproduction forecastssoybeansUSDAQ11Q13C82Q18
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 35 , Issue 1 , April 2003 , pp. 79 - 95
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2003

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