Cotton and Corn Showing Strong Interest in 2011

According to a recent survey of producers conducted by the Tennessee Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, strong commodity futures prices across the spectrum of major row crops for Tennessee have produced an interest in increasing total acres planted in 2011. Cotton and corn appear to be the largest benefactors of this prospective increase with soybeans trending down as a result. Soybean acreage is projected at 1.36 million acres, down 90,000 acres from last year’s 1.45 million acre crop. Winter wheat acreage is forecast to increase to 360,000 acres, up 100,000 acres from the previous year. “These acreage estimates are intended to reflect grower intentions as of March 1,” stated State Director Debra Kenerson. “Changes in prices, production costs, and weather conditions will be major factors in determining what farmers actually choose to produce this year.” The March 1 survey showed the following results: corn acreage, up 15 percent from last year to 820,000 acres; soybeans, down 6 percent to 1,360,000 acres; cotton intentions, 470,000 acres, up 21 percent from last year’s planted acreage of 390,000; winter wheat seedings, at 360,000 acres, up 100,000 acres or 38 percent from the previous year; and hay acreage, up slightly to 1.97 million acres.

 

U.S. SUMMARY

Corn growers intend to plant 92.2 million acres of corn for all purposes in 2011, up 5 percent from last year and 7 percent higher than in 2009. If realized, this will be the second highest planted acreage in the United States since 1944, behind only the 93.5 million acres planted in 2007. Acreage increases of 250,000 or more are expected in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota. The largest decrease is expected in Texas, down 150,000 acres.

Soybean planted area for 2011 is estimated at 76.6 million acres, down 1 percent from last year. If realized, the United States planted area will be the third largest on record. Compared with last year, planted acreage declines of 100,000 acres or more are expected in Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Ohio. If realized, the planted area in New York and North Dakota will be the largest on record.

All cotton plantings for 2011 are expected to total 12.6 million acres, 15 percent above last year. Upland acreage is expected to total 12.3 million acres, up 14 percent from 2010. American Pima acreage is expected to total 252,500 acres, up 24 percent from 2010. Cotton acreage increases are expected in every State. The largest increase, at 548,000 acres, is expected in Texas. Acreage increases of more than 100,000 acres are expected in North Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi.

All wheat planted area is estimated at 58.0 million acres, up 8 percent from last year. The 2011 winter wheat planted area, at 41.2 million acres, is 10 percent above last year and up 1 percent from the previous estimate. Of this total, about 29.4 million acres are Hard Red Winter, 8.2 million acres are Soft Red Winter, and 3.7 million are White Winter. Area planted to other spring wheat for 2011 is estimated at 14.4 million acres, up 5 percent from 2010. Of this total, about 13.6 million acres are Hard Red Spring wheat. Durum planted area for 2011 is estimated at 2.37 million acres, down 8 percent from 2010.

Tobacco: United States all tobacco area for harvest in 2011 is expected to total 336,510 acres, slightly below 2010. Expected increases in flue-cured, fire-cured, and Southern Maryland tobacco offset expected decreases in light-air cured, dark-air cured, and cigar types.

Find agricultural statistics for your county, State, and the Nation at www.nass.usda.gov