Southern region prospective plantings

- Courtesy of USDA NASS; March 31,2020

ATHENS, Ga. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated corn planted area for all purposes in 2020 at 97.0 million acres, up 8 percent from last year. Soybean planted area is estimated at 83.5 million acres, up 10 percent from last year. All wheat planted area, at 44.7 million acres, is down 1 percent from 2019 and represents the lowest all wheat planted area on record since records began in 1919. All cotton planted area for 2020 is estimated at 13.7 million acres, down less than 1 percent from last year.

Key findings for the Southern Region:

Alabama: Corn planted is estimated at 370,000 acres, up 16 percent from 2019. If realized, this will be the largest acreage since 1985. Cotton planted intentions are down 2 percent at 530,000 acres. Peanuts are estimated at 165,000 acres, up 3 percent from 2019. Producers intend to plant 260,000 acres of soybeans, a 2 percent decrease from last year. Winter wheat planted is estimated at 150,000 acres, up 15 percent from last year.

Florida: Corn planted is estimated at 100,000 acres, up 10,000 acres from 2019. Cotton planted intentions are up 7 percent at 120,000 acres. Peanuts are estimated at 175,000 acres, up 6 percent from 2019.

Georgia: Corn planted is estimated at 440,000 acres, up 11 percent from 2019. Cotton planted intentions are down 7 percent at 1.30 million acres. Peanuts are estimated at 740,000 acres, up 10 percent from 2019. Producers intend to plant 90,000 acres of soybeans, a 10 percent decrease from last year. If realized, this will be lowest planted area since 1955. Tobacco acreage at 9,000 acres is unchanged from last year. Winter wheat planted is estimated at 190,000 acres, up 27 percent from last year.

South Carolina: Corn planted is estimated at 390,000 acres, up 3 percent from 2019. Cotton planted intentions are down 10 percent at 270,000 acres. Peanuts are estimated at 75,000 acres, up 15 percent from 2019. Producers intend to plant 320,000 acres of soybeans, a 4 percent decrease from last year. Tobacco acreage at 7,500 acres is down 10 percent from last year. Winter wheat planted is estimated at 110,000 acres, up 57 percent from last year.

This report contains the results from the March Agricultural Survey which was conducted during the first two weeks of March 2020. The estimates provided in this report are intended to reflect grower planting intentions as of the survey period. New acreage estimates will be made based on surveys conducted in June when crop acreages have been established or planting intentions are firm. Thanks to all the farm operators who responded to this survey and made these estimates possible.