Corn for grain production in 2017 was estimated at 14.6 billion bushels, down 4 percent from the 2016 estimate. The average yield in the United States was estimated at a record high 176.6 bushels per acre, 2.0 bushels above the 2016 average yield of 174.6 bushels per acre. Area harvested for grain was estimated at 82.7 million acres, down 5 percent from the 2016 estimate.