RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia’s corn crop is expected to increase 5 percent this year compared to the 2014 crop. Production of soybeans also is anticipated to be higher, but forecasts of winter wheat, barley and cotton are expected to drop. The forecast is based on Aug. 1 conditions as surveyed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says the average corn yield is expected to be 157 bushels per acre, up 12 bushels from 2014. Soybean production is expected to increase 8 percent to 27.7 million bushels. Production is expected to drop 31 percent for barley, 20 percent for winter wheat and 5 percent for cotton. Increases are forecast for peanuts and dark fire-cured tobacco.
