April 6, 2011
www.gfb.org
Vol. 29 No. 14
PROJECTED CORN, COTTON ACREAGE UP, PEANUTS AND SOYBEANS DOWN Looking to make the most of commodity prices that are approaching historic highs, particularly in cotton, Georgia growers are expected to expand their acreage planted in cotton and corn while pulling back on peanuts, hay and soybeans. The USDA 2011 prospective plantings report, released March 31 by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), is a survey-based estimate of what farmers say they intend to plant this year. The first estimate of what is actually planted will be released the end of June. There is some disagreement over the extent of the acreage changes in the state. The USDA predicts Georgia’s peanut producers will plant 4 percent fewer acres this year than they did in 2010, (down from 565,000 acres to 540,000 acres). University of Georgia Extension Peanut Agronomist Dr. John Beasley predicts that the state’s peanut acreage could be reduced by 20 percent or more and that acreage planted in cotton could grow to as many as 1.85 million acres. “Our UGA ag economists indicate that $1.20 cotton is equivalent to $717 [per ton] for peanuts,” Beasley said. “ The highest contract offer I've heard on peanuts is $600 per ton, which is equal to approximately $1.00 per pound of cotton.” The NASS report indicates Georgia’s cotton producers will increase their acreage by 9 percent, from 1.33 million acres in 2010 to 1.45 million acres in 2011. Nationally, the NASS is predicting a 15 percent rise in cotton acreage from 10.97 million acres last year to 12.56 million acres. UGA Extension Economist for Cotton Dr. Don Shurley said the NASS projections for cotton acreage are lower than most expectations and predicted national cotton planting of 13 million acres or more. With tight global stocks and strong global demand, corn acreage is expected to grow by 12 percent in Georgia, from 295,000 acres in 2010 to a projected 330,000 acres in 2011 according to the USDA. A 5 percent increase is anticipated nationally. Georgia growers are expected to cut their hay acreage by 12 percent, from 650,000 acres to 570,000 acres. The state’s plantings in soybeans are also expected to decline, from 270,000 acres in 2010 to 210,000 acres this year, a reduction of 22 percent. Winter wheat is projected for significant growth in the state, from 170,000 acres in 2010 to 250,000 acres in 2011, a 47 percent expansion. Georgia’s tobacco growers are projected to plant 12,000 acres, a 5 percent increase over the 11,400 acres they planted in 2010. The projected numbers for Georgia plantings of oats (50,000 acres) and sorghum (45,000 acres) reflect no change from the 2010 acreage.