Corn growers intend to plant 76.7 million acres, down 4 percent from 2000. Intended soybean plantings total 76.7 million acres as well, but up 3 percent from last year. Rice acreage of all kinds adds up to 3.09 million, up 1 percent. These acreage estimates come primarily from surveys made during the first two weeks of March 69,000 producers are included. USDA notes, These estimates are intended to reflect grower intentions as of the survey period.
Intentions change with prices and with weather.
But as a snapshot from a particular time nearly two months ago it suggests that a lot of folks are sticking with it. Since last year, NASS has asked if farmers intend to plant corn, soybean or upland cotton seed that biotechnology has altered for resistance to herbicides, insects or both. This is a question that rice farmers may find themselves answering in a few years. That s not much of a difference. That sounds like a yes.