By DOUG SCHMITZ
Iowa Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. — Despite the historic floods that deluged millions of acres across the Midwest nearly three weeks ago, the USDA said Monday that U.S. farmers would likely record the second highest grain harvest in 64 years, with a projected 87.33 million planted acres of corn, and a total of 78.94 million harvested acres.
“Despite the decrease, corn planted acreage is the second highest since 1946, behind last year’s total of 93.6 million acres, “ said USDA Secretary Ed Schafer and Agricultural Statistics Board Chairperson Carol House in the 2008 USDA Acreage Report, released annually by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
“Growers expect to harvest 78.9 million acres for grain, down 9 percent from 2007,” said Schafer and House. “Farmers increased corn plantings 1.31 million acres from their March intentions. If realized, this would be the second highest since 1944, behind last year.”
In its June 30 report, the NASS collected most of the data before the majority of the flooding occurred. But in an effort to more accurately determine how many acres U.S. producers still intended to harvest for grain, the USDA said the NASS re-interviewed approximately 1,200 farmers June 23-25 in the flood-affected areas of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin to better measure the floods’ overall impact for fall.
The USDA said this newly-revised acreage report would provide additional information about U.S. producers’ harvesting intentions for corn, soybeans and sorghum, for the Aug. 12 crop production report.
“Extensive rains and flooding during June caused producers in several Midwestern States to change their harvesting intentions for crops already planted, modify planting decisions for the small percentage of acres not yet planted, and consider replanting options,” the report stated.
As the nation’s top corn and soybean producer, Iowa was the hardest hit by the floods, losing nearly 1.3 million corn acres and up to 2 million acres of soybeans, or a 16 percent crop loss that would total about $3 billion, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) recently estimated. However, the USDA said Iowa would have 13.7 million planted acres, at a 12.8 million projected harvest.
“The weather we have experienced so far this growing season certainly shows how quickly the situation on our fields can change, but with 12.8 million projected corn (or 93 percent of intended plantings) and 9.4 million acres of soybeans (95 percent of intended plantings), we have the potential for a decent crop,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.
“Let’s hope the weather cooperates the rest of the year and we can produce the corn, soybeans and other agricultural products that are needed here in Iowa and around the world.”
Dave Miller, IFBF director of research and commodity services, said though many Iowa farmers impacted by flooding were re-surveyed the week of June 22, the acreage report didn’t fully account for the extent of damage done to Iowa’s crops.
“While Iowa’s farmers are diligently trying to replant as much of the flooded acreage as possible, continuing wet weather is hindering their progress,” he said. “We look forward to the Aug. 12 Crop Production report to get a better indication (of) what actual harvested acreage and yield will be realized this fall.”
According to the report, U.S. farmers reported that 97 percent of the intended corn acreage had been planted at the time of the survey interview, compared to the average of 98 percent for the past 10 years.
“Corn acreage is up from the March report and even with flooding, we are still poised to harvest the second largest corn crop,” said Mindy Williamson, communications and public relations director for the Iowa Corn Growers Assoc. and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.
As a result, the USDA said U.S. farmers intend to harvest 90.4 percent of their planted acres of corn for grain.
“This is a change from 92.4 percent as measured during the first two weeks of June,” said Schafer and House.
“U.S. farmers intend to harvest 96.8 percent of their planted acres of soybeans. Without this additional survey data, historical averages would have indicated 98.7 percent of soybean acres to be harvested.”
The USDA said U.S. corn planted is estimated at 87.3 million acres, down 7 percent from last year.
Planting was also slow across the Corn Belt, Ohio Valley and the northern half of the Great Plains, as frequent precipitation and unseasonably cool temperatures during March and April prevented spring planting preparations. Corn planting was 27 percent complete on May 4, down 32 points from normal.
U.S. corn stocks in all positions on June 1 totaled 4.03 billion bushels, up 14 percent from June 1, 2007. Of total stocks, 1.97 billion bushels are stored on farms, up 8 percent from a year earlier, the USDA added.
The USDA said soybeans planted for 2008 is estimated at 74.5 million acres, up 17 percent from last year, but 1 percent below the record high acreage in 2006.
In addition, the largest soybean increase is expected in Nebraska, up 950,000 acres from 2007, followed by Illinois and South Dakota, each up 900,000 acres, with national area for harvest at 72.1 million acres, up 15 percent from 2007.
Increases of at least 800,000 soybean acres are also expected in Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota, the report said.
“If realized, the planted acreage in Kansas, New York and Pennsylvania will be the largest on record,” the report stated. “Nationally, farmers reported that 79 percent of the intended soybean acreage had been planted at the time of the survey interview, which is the lowest since 1996.”
The USDA also said all wheat planted area is estimated at 63.5 million acres, up 5 percent from 2007, with the 2008 winter wheat planted area – at 46.6 million acres – 4 percent above last year. Of this total, the report said planted spring wheat for 2008 is estimated at 14.2 million acres, up 7 percent from 2007.
Because some producers might be difficult to contact or could still be assessing their options, the USDA said the NASS would conduct a more extensive update of planted and harvested acreage in July in the impacted areas, which would be reflected in the Aug. 12 report.
For more information about the USDA’s Acreage Report, as well as its response and efforts concerning the aftermath of the Midwest floods, visit www.usda.gov/safety |
