March 31, 2011

Nebraska producers expect to increase acreage planted to corn, sugarbeets and sunflowers, while decreasing acreage devoted to soybeans, hay, sorghum, dry edible beans, oats, and wheat (sown last fall), according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. It is reporting on a March 1 survey of planting intentions.

Nebraska corn growers expect to plant 9.5 million acres for all purposes in 2011, up 4% from 2010 and the largest acreage since 1933.

Soybean producers intend to plant 5.05 million acres, down 2% from 2010 but second largest only to last year’s record high.

Last fall, winter wheat was sown on 1.5 million acres, down 6% from a year earlier. This is the smallest winter wheat acreage planted in Nebraska since records began in 1909.

Sorghum growers expect to plant 135,000 acres, down 20,000 acres or 13% from last year and the smallest acreage since 1930.

Dry edible bean producers intend to plant 125,000 acres, down 26% from 2010. Oat planting intentions, at 85,000 acres, are down 5,000 acres from 2010 and the lowest in over 100 years. Sunflower planting intentions, at 64,000 acres, are up 2,000 acres from last year and sugarbeet plantings, at 55,000 acres, are up 10% from a year ago.

Hay acreage for harvest, at 2.6 million, is expected to be down 3% from last year.

These acreage estimates are based on surveys conducted the first two weeks of March. This report is intended to assist growers in finalizing their acreage plans for 2011. Actual area planted may vary from that indicated due to farmer’s final assessment of planting options, effects of weather, availability of production inputs, and changes in price expectations for the coming crop year.

National Acreage Intentions

Nationally, corn growers intend to plant 92.2 million acres of corn for all purposes in 2011, up 5% from last year and 7% 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% 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 wheat planted area is estimated at 58.0 million acres, up 8% from last year. The 2011 winter wheat planted area, at 41.2 million acres, is 10% above last year and up 1% 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% 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% from 2010.

To view the outlook for other states, see the national report.

USDA Release