The USDA has released its prospective plantings report, which predicts a significant increase in the number of corn plantings this spring. The report suggests that corn acres could total 91.99 million acres, up 4% from last year, with soybean acres estimated to be a slight increase from 2022 at 87.51 million acres.
The report also shows that estimated wheat plantings have soared by 9% to 49.85 million acres, the largest potential acreage since 2015.
The total expected principal crop plantings nationwide for this season represent a 1.9% increase from 2022, and the largest total since 2018. While the corn bump forecast by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) wasn't necessarily a surprise, it did go slightly beyond previous trade estimates. The report is optimistic about corn acreage, with corn acreage estimates increasing or being unchanged in 40 of the 48 reporting states.
However, soybean acreage estimates increased or remained unchanged in only 15 of the 29 reporting states. Despite Illinois' projected bean plantings remaining unchanged from the 10.8 million acres planted in 2022, the 2023 levels, if realized, would represent a second record year for the state.
The outlook for extended winter conditions could already be having an impact on spring wheat plantings, which are mostly concentrated in the Northern Plains, and that the report estimated to dip 2.4% to 10.57 million acres. Total cotton plantings, meanwhile, are estimated to fall a staggering 18.2% this season to 11.3 million acres.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-oticki
Categories: Illinois, Crops, Corn