March 28, 2013

Nebraska Stored Stocks Down from March 2012

Nebraska farmers intend to plant 9.9 million acres of corn for all purposes in 2013, down 1% from last year. If realized, this will represent the second largest planted acreage in Nebraska since 1933, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.

Most other intended plantings showed larger percentage declines from last year:

• Soybean growers intend to plant 4.7 million acres, down 7% from last year.
• Hay acreage for harvest, at 2.7 million acres, is expected to be up 5% from last year.
• Winter wheat acres seeded last fall totaled 1.45 million acres, up 5% from a year earlier.
• Sorghum growers expect to plant 220,000 acres, up 52% from last year.
• Oat intentions are estimated at 135,000 acres, up 80% from last year.
• Dry edible bean acreage intentions are estimated at 130,000 acres, down 10% from 2012.
• Sugarbeet growers expect to plant 43,800 acres, down 14% from last year.
• Sunflower for oil planting intentions are 30,000 acres, down 3,000 acres from last year. Non-oil sunflower area is expected to total 13,000 acres, up 4,500 acres 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 2013. 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.

Nationally, corn growers intend to plant 97.3 million acres of corn. That is the largest acreage since 1936. Soybean acres are down less than 1% at 77.1 million acres. Wheat acres are up 1% at 56.4 million acres.

Corn, Soybean, Wheat and Sorghum Grain Stocks Down

In Nebraska corn stocks in all positions on March 1, 2013 totaled 590 million bushels, down 14% from March 1, 2012, according to the USDA NASS report. Of the total, 285 million bushels are stored on farms, down 19% from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 305 million bushels, are down 9% from last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions on March 1, 2013 totaled 70.9 million bushels, down 42% from last year. On-farm stocks are 20.5 million bushels, down 36% from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 50.4 million bushels, are down 44% from 2012.

Wheat stored in all positions on March 1, 2013 totaled 37.2 million bushels, down 3% from a year ago. On-farm stocks of 1.6 million are down 33% from 2012. Off-farm stocks of 35.6 million bushels are down 1% from last year.

Sorghum stored in all positions on March 1, 2013 totaled 2.8 million bushels, down 57% from 2012 and the lowest level since the data series began in 1957. On-farm stocks are 400,000 bushels, down 69% from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 2.4 million bushels, are 54% below last year.

Nationally, corn stocks in all positions on March 1, 2013 totaled 5.40 billion bushels, down 10% from March 1, 2012. Of the total stocks, 2.67 billion bushels are stored on farms, down 16% from a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 2.73 billion bushels, are down 4% from a year ago. The December 2012 - February 2013 indicated disappearance is 2.63 billion bushels, compared with 3.62 billion bushels during the same period last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions on March 1, 2013 totaled 999 million bushels, down 27% from March 1, 2012. Soybean stocks stored on farms are estimated at 457 million bushels, down 18% from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 543 million bushels, are down 34% from last March. Indicated disappearance for the December 2012 - February 2013 quarter totaled 967 million bushels, down 3% from the same period a year earlier.

All wheat stored in all positions on March 1, 2013 totaled 1.23 billion bushels, up 3% from a year ago. On-farm stocks are estimated at 237 million bushels, up 9% from last March. Off-farm stocks, at 997 million bushels, are up 2% from a year ago. The December 2012 - February 2013 indicated disappearance is 436 million bushels, down 6% from the same period a year earlier.

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Nebraska Field Office