USDA predicts 5% increase in planted corn acres in 2011
The Prospective Plantings report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows an increase in corn acres, the National Corn Growers Association said. The report, based on a survey of actual farmer intentions in March, states farmers intend to plant 92.2 million corn acres in 2011. This is a five percent increase from 2010 and up seven percent from 2009. If realized, it will be the second highest corn planting in the United States since 1944, just behind the 93.5 million acres planted in 2007.
“Even after a difficult growing season last year, farmers produced the third largest crop, and it initially shows they will produce another record crop this year,” NCGA President Bart Schott said. “This report shows that the innovative American farmer understands the increasing global demands of corn for food, feed, fuel and fiber and that they see the importance of meetings those needs.”