Cr Pr 2-4 (3-07) Prospective Plantings National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 30, 2007, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Prospective Plantings" call (202) 720-2127, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Corn Planted Acreage Up 15 Percent from 2006 Soybean Acreage Down 11 Percent All Wheat Acreage Up 5 Percent All Cotton Acreage Down 20 Percent Corn growers intend to plant 90.5 million acres of corn for all purposes in 2007, up 15 percent from 2006 and 11 percent higher than 2005. If realized this would be the highest acreage since 1944, when 95.5 million acres were planted for all purposes. Expected acreage is up in nearly all States as high corn prices are encouraging farmers to plant more acres to corn. The increase in intended corn acres is partially offset by lower expected acres of soybeans in the Corn Belt and Great Plains and fewer expected acres of cotton and rice in the Delta and Southeast. Illinois farmers intend to plant a record high 12.9 million acres of corn this spring, up 1.60 million acres from last year. North Dakota and Minnesota growers also expect to plant record high corn acres, up 910,000 and 600,000 acres, respectively. Soybean producers intend to plant 67.1 million acres in 2007, down 11 percent from last year. If realized, this will be the lowest planted area since 1996. Acreage decreases are expected in all growing areas, except in New York and the Southeast. Large decreases in soybean acreage are expected across the Corn Belt, with the largest decline expected in Illinois, down 1.40 million acres from 2006. However, area planted to soybeans is expected to increase in the Southeast, with Georgia expecting the largest increase from last year at 95,000 acres. Planted acreage in New York is expected to be the largest on record at 210,000 acres. All wheat planted area is estimated at 60.3 million acres, up 5 percent from 2006. The 2007 winter wheat planted area, at 44.5 million acres, is 10 percent above last year and up 1 percent from the previous estimate. Of this total, about 31.9 million acres are Hard Red Winter, 8.66 million acres are Soft Red Winter, and 3.92 million acres are White Winter. Area planted to other spring wheat for 2007 is expected to total 13.8 million acres, down 7 percent from 2006. Of this total, about 13.3 million acres are Hard Red Spring wheat. The intended Durum planted area for 2007 is 1.99 million acres, up 6 percent from the previous year. All cotton plantings for 2007 are expected to total 12.1 million acres, 20 percent below last year. Upland acreage is expected to total 11.9 million, down 21 percent from last year and the lowest since 1989. Growers intend to decrease planted area in all States with the largest acreage declines in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas. American-Pima cotton growers intend to decrease their plantings by 10 percent from 2006, to 292,000 acres. California producers expect to plant 250,000 acres, down 9 percent from last year's record high. This report was approved on March 30, 2007. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns Agricultural Statistics Board Chairperson Carol C. House Contents Page Grains & Hay Barley. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Corn. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Hay . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Oats. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Rice. . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Sorghum . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Wheat, All. . . . . . . . . . 8 Wheat, Durum. . . . . . . . .10 Wheat, Other Spring . . . . .10 Wheat, Winter . . . . . . . . 9 Oilseeds Canola. . . . . . . . . . . .14 Flaxseed. . . . . . . . . . .12 Peanuts . . . . . . . . . . .13 Soybeans. . . . . . . . . . .13 Sunflower . . . . . . . . . .14 Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops Cotton. . . . . . . . . . . .15 Sugarbeets. . . . . . . . . .16 Tobacco . . . . . . . . . . .16 Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils Dry Edible Beans. . . . . . .19 Chickpeas . . . . . . . . . .19 Lentils . . . . . . . . . . .20 Dry Edible Peas . . . . . . .20 Austrian Winter Peas. . . . .20 Potatoes & Miscellaneous Crops Sweet Potatoes. . . . . . . .18 Crop Comments. . . . . . . . . .27 Crop Summary . . . . . . . . . .21 Information Contacts . . . . . .33 Reliability of Acreage Data in this Report31 Weather Summary. . . . . . . . .25 Corn: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------- 1,000 Acres ------------- Percent : AL : 220 200 300 150 AZ : 50 50 55 110 AR : 240 190 560 295 CA : 560 520 620 119 CO : 1,100 1,000 1,250 125 CT : 28 27 28 104 DE : 160 170 185 109 FL : 65 60 75 125 GA : 270 280 500 179 ID : 235 270 300 111 IL : 12,100 11,300 12,900 114 IN : 5,900 5,500 6,200 113 IA : 12,800 12,600 13,900 110 KS : 3,650 3,350 3,700 110 KY : 1,250 1,120 1,310 117 LA : 340 300 700 233 ME : 26 26 26 100 MD : 470 490 550 112 MA : 20 18 17 94 MI : 2,250 2,200 2,500 114 MN : 7,300 7,300 7,900 108 MS : 380 340 950 279 MO : 3,100 2,700 3,400 126 MT : 65 65 75 115 NE : 8,500 8,100 9,000 111 NV : 5 4 6 150 NH : 15 14 14 100 NJ : 80 80 90 113 NM : 140 130 140 108 NY : 990 950 1,020 107 NC : 750 790 1,050 133 ND : 1,410 1,690 2,600 154 OH : 3,450 3,150 3,650 116 OK : 290 270 300 111 OR : 53 51 55 108 PA : 1,350 1,350 1,450 107 RI : 2 2 2 100 SC : 300 310 390 126 SD : 4,450 4,500 4,900 109 TN : 650 550 780 142 TX : 2,050 1,760 2,000 114 UT : 55 65 66 102 VT : 95 85 94 111 VA : 490 480 520 108 WA : 150 140 190 136 WV : 45 45 46 102 WI : 3,800 3,650 4,000 110 WY : 80 85 90 106 : US : 81,779 78,327 90,454 115 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Sorghum: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------- 1,000 Acres ------------- Percent : AL : 10 10 10 100 AZ : 23 24 35 146 AR : 66 63 200 317 CA : 26 32 25 78 CO : 160 280 240 86 GA : 40 40 40 100 IL : 85 75 70 93 KS : 2,750 2,750 2,800 102 KY : 25 18 13 72 LA : 90 90 180 200 MS : 25 15 100 667 MO : 135 100 95 95 NE : 340 370 260 70 NM : 120 110 110 100 NC : 16 17 17 100 OK : 270 270 240 89 PA : 11 13 11 85 SC : 10 11 11 100 SD : 180 220 190 86 TN : 22 14 12 86 TX : 2,050 2,000 2,450 123 : US : 6,454 6,522 7,109 109 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Oats: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 2/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------- 1,000 Acres ------------- Percent : AL : 50 50 40 80 CA : 270 270 250 93 CO : 75 85 70 82 GA : 75 70 70 100 ID : 90 90 75 83 IL : 60 60 50 83 IN : 20 25 15 60 IA : 210 210 140 67 KS : 100 100 80 80 ME : 32 31 30 97 MI : 90 80 90 113 MN : 310 290 300 103 MO : 35 40 50 125 MT : 90 70 55 79 NE : 150 160 125 78 NY : 95 85 95 112 NC : 50 60 60 100 ND : 490 420 530 126 OH : 80 70 55 79 OK : 45 35 90 257 OR : 40 50 55 110 PA : 140 135 125 93 SC : 35 33 36 109 SD : 380 380 330 87 TX : 690 760 770 101 UT : 50 45 45 100 VA : 14 16 18 113 WA : 25 30 25 83 WI : 400 370 310 84 WY : 55 48 45 94 : US : 4,246 4,168 4,029 97 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes area planted in preceding fall. 2/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Barley: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 2/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------- 1,000 Acres ------------- Percent : AZ : 34 25 30 120 CA : 100 90 75 83 CO : 60 47 55 117 DE : 29 27 29 107 ID : 630 530 550 104 KS : 19 24 24 100 KY : 10 15 12 80 ME : 23 18 16 89 MD : 46 50 51 102 MI : 15 15 14 93 MN : 125 105 100 95 MT : 900 770 800 104 NV : 4 4 3 75 NJ : 3 3 3 100 NY : 17 17 16 94 NC : 24 24 20 83 ND : 1,200 1,100 1,300 118 OH : 6 5 3 60 OR : 65 55 62 113 PA : 55 55 50 91 SD : 65 55 65 118 UT : 40 40 45 113 VA : 60 58 50 86 WA : 215 200 220 110 WI : 55 50 45 90 WY : 75 70 65 93 : US : 3,875 3,452 3,703 107 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes area planted in preceding fall. 2/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. All Wheat: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 2/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- 1,000 Acres -------------- Percent : AL : 100 100 130 130 AZ : 85 79 84 106 AR : 220 365 800 219 CA : 570 520 650 125 CO : 2,570 2,170 2,270 105 DE : 52 48 57 119 FL : 18 8 13 163 GA : 280 230 400 174 ID : 1,260 1,255 1,305 104 IL : 630 930 970 104 IN : 360 470 450 96 IA : 20 25 40 160 KS : 10,000 9,800 10,300 105 KY : 390 430 420 98 LA : 110 115 220 191 MD : 155 210 225 107 MI : 600 660 660 100 MN : 1,820 1,750 1,710 98 MS : 70 85 350 412 MO : 590 1,000 1,050 105 MT : 5,340 5,300 5,180 98 NE : 1,850 1,800 1,950 108 NV : 14 23 23 100 NJ : 28 25 31 124 NM : 450 440 490 111 NY : 100 105 85 81 NC : 560 560 610 109 ND : 9,090 8,800 8,570 97 OH : 860 990 870 88 OK : 5,700 5,700 6,100 107 OR : 955 880 900 102 PA : 150 160 160 100 SC : 170 130 160 123 SD : 3,315 3,310 3,515 106 TN : 240 280 400 143 TX : 5,500 5,550 6,000 108 UT : 163 144 147 102 VA : 180 190 230 121 WA : 2,280 2,280 2,310 101 WV : 7 8 8 100 WI : 208 261 291 111 WY : 169 158 169 107 : US : 57,229 57,344 60,303 105 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes area planted in preceding fall. 2/ Intended plantings for 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Winter Wheat: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- 1,000 Acres -------------- Percent : AL : 100 100 130 130 AZ : 5 4 4 100 AR : 220 365 800 219 CA : 495 450 550 122 CO : 2,550 2,150 2,250 105 DE : 52 48 57 119 FL : 18 8 13 163 GA : 280 230 400 174 ID : 770 750 780 104 IL : 630 930 970 104 IN : 360 470 450 96 IA : 20 25 40 160 KS : 10,000 9,800 10,300 105 KY : 390 430 420 98 LA : 110 115 220 191 MD : 155 210 225 107 MI : 600 660 660 100 MN : 20 50 60 120 MS : 70 85 350 412 MO : 590 1,000 1,050 105 MT : 2,150 1,950 2,200 113 NE : 1,850 1,800 1,950 108 NV : 8 17 17 100 NJ : 28 25 31 124 NM : 450 440 490 111 NY : 100 105 85 81 NC : 560 560 610 109 ND : 310 200 370 185 OH : 860 990 870 88 OK : 5,700 5,700 6,100 107 OR : 830 760 770 101 PA : 150 160 160 100 SC : 170 130 160 123 SD : 1,550 1,450 1,900 131 TN : 240 280 400 143 TX : 5,500 5,550 6,000 108 UT : 145 130 135 104 VA : 180 190 230 121 WA : 1,850 1,850 1,850 100 WV : 7 8 8 100 WI : 200 250 280 112 WY : 160 150 160 107 : US : 40,433 40,575 44,505 110 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes area planted in preceding fall. Durum Wheat: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 2/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- 1,000 Acres -------------- Percent : AZ : 80 75 80 107 CA : 75 70 100 143 ID : 20 15 15 100 MT : 590 400 380 95 ND : 1,980 1,300 1,400 108 SD : 15 10 15 150 : US : 2,760 1,870 1,990 106 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes area planted in preceding fall in AZ and CA. 2/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Other Spring Wheat: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- 1,000 Acres -------------- Percent : CO : 20 20 20 100 ID : 470 490 510 104 MN : 1,800 1,700 1,650 97 MT : 2,600 2,950 2,600 88 NV : 6 6 6 100 ND : 6,800 7,300 6,800 93 OR : 125 120 130 108 SD : 1,750 1,850 1,600 86 UT : 18 14 12 86 WA : 430 430 460 107 WI : 8 11 11 100 WY : 9 8 9 113 : US : 14,036 14,899 13,808 93 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Rice: Area Planted by Class, State, and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class : Area Planted and :------------------------------------------------------------------- State : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- 1,000 Acres -------------- Percent : Long Grain : AR : 1,540.0 1,300.0 1,130.0 87 CA : 9.0 6.0 7.0 117 LA : 520.0 340.0 350.0 103 MS : 265.0 190.0 180.0 95 MO : 215.0 215.0 190.0 88 TX : 202.0 149.0 159.0 107 : US : 2,751.0 2,200.0 2,016.0 92 : Medium Grain: AR : 102.0 105.0 90.0 86 CA : 465.0 460.0 460.0 100 LA : 10.0 10.0 10.0 100 MO : 1.0 1.0 1.0 100 TX : 0.0 1.0 1.0 100 : US : 578.0 577.0 562.0 97 : Short Grain : AR : 1.0 1.0 1.0 100 CA 2/ : 54.0 60.0 65.0 108 : US : 55.0 61.0 66.0 108 : All : AR : 1,643.0 1,406.0 1,221.0 87 CA : 528.0 526.0 532.0 101 LA : 530.0 350.0 360.0 103 MS : 265.0 190.0 180.0 95 MO : 216.0 216.0 191.0 88 TX : 202.0 150.0 160.0 107 : US : 3,384.0 2,838.0 2,644.0 93 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. 2/ Includes sweet rice. All Hay: Area Harvested by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Harvested State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- 1,000 Acres ------------- Percent : AL : 730 720 900 125 AZ : 300 295 290 98 AR : 1,310 1,465 1,530 104 CA : 1,620 1,580 1,530 97 CO : 1,550 1,530 1,560 102 CT : 63 62 60 97 DE : 14 14 15 107 FL : 290 260 310 119 GA : 550 650 680 105 ID : 1,410 1,520 1,500 99 IL : 730 760 700 92 IN : 650 650 700 108 IA : 1,600 1,500 1,400 93 KS : 2,900 3,050 3,400 111 KY : 2,410 2,480 2,400 97 LA : 350 390 440 113 ME : 151 140 140 100 MD : 190 205 210 102 MA : 89 83 85 102 MI : 1,150 1,140 1,140 100 MN : 2,050 2,070 2,200 106 MS : 730 780 800 103 MO : 4,000 4,140 4,300 104 MT : 3,000 2,260 2,350 104 NE : 2,850 2,800 3,000 107 NV : 450 470 470 100 NH : 57 51 50 98 NJ : 115 115 120 104 NM : 330 310 325 105 NY : 1,650 1,520 1,480 97 NC : 691 690 695 101 ND : 3,030 2,720 2,850 105 OH : 1,200 1,210 1,150 95 OK : 2,920 3,180 3,300 104 OR : 1,000 1,050 1,050 100 PA : 1,600 1,750 1,700 97 RI : 9 7 6 86 SC : 290 360 410 114 SD : 4,000 3,100 3,800 123 TN : 1,885 1,830 1,780 97 TX : 5,050 5,150 5,400 105 UT : 700 710 720 101 VT : 240 250 240 96 VA : 1,320 1,240 1,260 102 WA : 740 770 770 100 WV : 575 590 590 100 WI : 2,050 2,140 2,150 100 WY : 1,140 1,050 1,100 105 : US : 61,729 60,807 63,056 104 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended area harvested in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Flaxseed: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- 1,000 Acres ----------- Percent : MN : 13 8 5 63 MT : 55 35 25 71 ND : 890 750 350 47 SD : 25 20 10 50 : US : 983 813 390 48 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Soybeans: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- 1,000 Acres ------------- Percent : AL : 150 160 190 119 AR : 3,030 3,110 2,900 93 DE : 185 180 160 89 FL : 9 7 16 229 GA : 180 155 250 161 IL : 9,500 10,100 8,700 86 IN : 5,400 5,700 5,000 88 IA : 10,050 10,150 9,200 91 KS : 2,900 3,150 2,400 76 KY : 1,250 1,380 1,280 93 LA : 880 870 630 72 MD : 480 470 430 91 MI : 2,000 2,000 1,750 88 MN : 6,900 7,350 6,700 91 MS : 1,610 1,670 1,550 93 MO : 4,950 5,150 4,600 89 NE : 4,700 5,050 4,400 87 NJ : 95 88 80 91 NY : 190 200 210 105 NC : 1,490 1,370 1,400 102 ND : 2,950 3,900 3,100 79 OH : 4,500 4,650 4,400 95 OK : 325 310 270 87 PA : 430 430 410 95 SC : 430 400 430 108 SD : 3,900 3,950 3,600 91 TN : 1,130 1,160 1,070 92 TX : 260 225 100 44 VA : 530 520 500 96 WV : 18 17 14 82 WI : 1,610 1,650 1,400 85 : US : 72,032 75,522 67,140 89 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Peanuts: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 Acres --------------- Percent : AL : 225.0 165.0 160.0 97 FL : 160.0 130.0 120.0 92 GA : 755.0 580.0 500.0 86 MS : 15.0 17.0 17.0 100 NM : 19.0 12.0 12.0 100 NC : 97.0 85.0 94.0 111 OK : 35.0 23.0 20.0 87 SC : 63.0 59.0 60.0 102 TX : 265.0 155.0 190.0 123 VA : 23.0 17.0 24.0 141 : US : 1,657.0 1,243.0 1,197.0 96 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Sunflower: Area Planted by Type, State, and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Varietal : Area Planted Type and :--------------------------------------------------------------- State : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 Acres ------------ Percent : Oil : CO : 150 80 80 100 KS : 255 140 120 86 MN : 75 55 60 109 NE : 60 34 20 59 ND : 910 770 740 96 SD : 500 485 360 74 TX : 50 29 20 69 : Oth Sts 2/3/ : 104 65 65 100 : US : 2,104 1,658 1,465 88 : Non-Oil : CO : 65 20 15 75 KS : 45 10 20 200 MN : 60 34 40 118 NE : 39 19 10 53 ND : 230 130 170 131 SD : 50 45 45 100 TX : 95 23 23 100 : Oth Sts 2/3/ : 21 11 11 100 : US : 605 292 334 114 : All : CO : 215 100 95 95 KS : 300 150 140 93 MN : 135 89 100 112 NE : 99 53 30 57 ND : 1,140 900 910 101 SD : 550 530 405 76 TX : 145 52 43 83 : Oth Sts 2/3/ : 125 76 76 100 : US : 2,709 1,950 1,799 92 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. 2/ Other States include CA, IL, MI, MO, MT, OK, WI, and WY. 3/ 2007 estimates carried forward from 2006. First 2007 estimate will be published in "Acreage" on June 29, 2007. Canola: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------- 1,000 Acres ------------- Percent : MN : 55.0 28.0 35.0 125 MT : 17.0 10.0 17.0 170 ND : 1,040.0 940.0 1,050.0 112 : Oth Sts 2/3/ : 47.0 66.0 66.0 100 : US : 1,159.0 1,044.0 1,168.0 112 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. 2/ For 2005, Other States include ID, MI, OK, OR, and WA. For 2006 and 2007, Other States include CO, ID, KS, MI, OK, OR, and WA. 3/ 2007 estimates carried forward from 2006. First 2007 estimate will be published in "Acreage" on June 29, 2007. Cotton: Area Planted by Type, State, and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Type : Area Planted and :------------------------------------------------------------------- State : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 Acres -------------- Percent : Upland : AL : 550.0 575.0 450.0 78 AZ : 230.0 190.0 180.0 95 AR : 1,050.0 1,170.0 830.0 71 CA : 430.0 285.0 210.0 74 FL : 86.0 103.0 90.0 87 GA : 1,220.0 1,400.0 1,150.0 82 KS : 74.0 115.0 70.0 61 LA : 610.0 635.0 380.0 60 MS : 1,210.0 1,230.0 740.0 60 MO : 440.0 500.0 400.0 80 NM : 56.0 50.0 40.0 80 NC : 815.0 870.0 570.0 66 OK : 255.0 320.0 200.0 63 SC : 266.0 300.0 200.0 67 TN : 640.0 700.0 560.0 80 TX : 5,950.0 6,400.0 5,700.0 89 VA : 93.0 105.0 85.0 81 : US : 13,975.0 14,948.0 11,855.0 79 : Amer-Pima : AZ : 4.1 7.0 3.0 43 CA : 230.0 275.0 250.0 91 NM : 11.5 13.0 9.0 69 TX : 24.8 31.0 30.0 97 : US : 270.4 326.0 292.0 90 : All : AL : 550.0 575.0 450.0 78 AZ : 234.1 197.0 183.0 93 AR : 1,050.0 1,170.0 830.0 71 CA : 660.0 560.0 460.0 82 FL : 86.0 103.0 90.0 87 GA : 1,220.0 1,400.0 1,150.0 82 KS : 74.0 115.0 70.0 61 LA : 610.0 635.0 380.0 60 MS : 1,210.0 1,230.0 740.0 60 MO : 440.0 500.0 400.0 80 NM : 67.5 63.0 49.0 78 NC : 815.0 870.0 570.0 66 OK : 255.0 320.0 200.0 63 SC : 266.0 300.0 200.0 67 TN : 640.0 700.0 560.0 80 TX : 5,974.8 6,431.0 5,730.0 89 VA : 93.0 105.0 85.0 81 : US : 14,245.4 15,274.0 12,147.0 80 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Sugarbeets: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 2/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- 1,000 Acres -------------- Percent : CA : 44.4 43.7 39.9 91 CO : 36.4 42.1 35.8 85 ID : 169.0 188.0 178.0 95 MI : 154.0 155.0 153.0 99 MN : 491.0 504.0 482.0 96 MT : 53.9 53.6 47.8 89 NE : 48.4 61.4 53.0 86 ND : 255.0 261.0 257.0 98 OR : 9.8 13.1 10.2 78 WA : 1.7 2.0 2.0 100 WY : 36.2 42.8 36.0 84 : US : 1,299.8 1,366.7 1,294.7 95 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Relates to year of intended harvest in all States except CA. In CA, relates to year of intended harvest for fall planted beets in central CA and to year of planting for overwintered beets in central and southern CA. 2/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from processors. Tobacco: Area Harvested by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Harvested State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------------- Acres ----------------- Percent : CT : 2,450 2,550 2,650 104 FL 2/ : 2,500 1,100 GA : 16,000 17,000 19,000 112 KY : 79,700 83,000 88,500 107 MA : 1,190 1,150 1,220 106 MO : 1,350 1,500 1,600 107 NC : 126,000 158,800 158,600 100 OH : 3,400 3,500 3,500 100 PA : 5,000 7,900 9,400 119 SC : 19,000 23,000 20,000 87 TN : 22,950 19,800 19,050 96 VA : 17,140 19,650 20,650 105 WV 3/ : 400 : US : 297,080 338,950 344,170 102 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended area harvested in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. 2/ Estimates discontinued in 2007. 3/ Estimates discontinued in 2006. Tobacco: Area Harvested by Class, Type, State, and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Harvested Class and Type :-------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- Acres --------------- Percent : Class 1, Flue-cured : FL 2/ : 2,500 1,100 GA : 16,000 17,000 19,000 112 NC : 123,000 155,000 155,000 100 SC : 19,000 23,000 20,000 87 VA : 14,000 17,000 18,000 106 US : 174,500 213,100 212,000 99 Class 2, Fire-cured : KY : 6,000 6,000 7,200 120 TN : 5,500 5,300 5,500 104 VA : 340 350 350 100 US : 11,840 11,650 13,050 112 Class 3, Air-cured : Light Air-cured : Burley : KY : 70,000 73,000 77,000 105 MO : 1,350 1,500 1,600 107 NC : 3,000 3,800 3,600 95 OH : 3,400 3,500 3,500 100 PA : 2,200 5,500 6,500 118 TN : 17,000 14,000 13,000 93 VA : 2,800 2,300 2,300 100 WV 3/ : 400 US : 100,150 103,600 107,500 104 Southern MD Belt : PA : 1,500 1,100 1,100 100 Total Light Air-cured : 101,650 104,700 108,600 104 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Tobacco: Area Harvested by Class, Type, State, and United States, 2005-2007 (continued) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Harvested Class and Type :-------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- Acres --------------- Percent : Class 3, Air-cured : Dark Air-cured : KY : 3,700 4,000 4,300 108 TN : 450 500 550 110 VA 4/ : US : 4,150 4,500 4,850 108 Class 4, Cigar Filler : PA Seedleaf : PA : 1,300 1,300 1,800 138 Class 5, Cigar Binder : CT Valley Binder : CT : 1,520 1,700 1,700 100 MA : 900 950 1,000 105 US : 2,420 2,650 2,700 102 Total Cigar Binder : 2,420 2,650 2,700 102 Class 6, Cigar Wrapper : CT Valley Shade-grown : CT : 930 850 950 112 MA : 290 200 220 110 US : 1,220 1,050 1,170 111 All Cigar Types : 4,940 5,000 5,670 113 : All Tobacco : 297,080 338,950 344,170 102 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended area harvested in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. 2/ Estimates discontinued in 2007. 3/ Estimates discontinued in 2006. 4/ No sun-cured tobacco was harvested in 2005, 2006, or is expected to be harvested in 2007. Sweet Potatoes: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------- 1,000 Acres ------------ Percent : AL : 2.7 2.4 2.5 104 CA : 11.7 12.5 13.3 106 LA : 18.0 18.0 16.0 89 MS : 17.4 18.0 17.0 94 NJ : 1.2 1.2 1.2 100 NC : 36.0 40.0 40.0 100 SC : 0.9 0.8 0.6 75 TX : 2.7 2.2 1.8 82 VA : 0.4 0.5 0.5 100 : US : 91.0 95.6 92.9 97 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Dry Edible Beans: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 2/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- 1,000 Acres -------------- Percent : CA : 66.0 67.0 70.0 104 CO : 90.0 70.0 50.0 71 ID : 100.0 105.0 85.0 81 KS : 13.0 11.0 5.0 45 MI : 235.0 225.0 220.0 98 MN : 145.0 145.0 135.0 93 MT : 18.0 19.5 22.0 113 NE : 175.0 140.0 100.0 71 NM : 6.3 8.2 7.5 91 NY : 25.0 19.0 20.0 105 ND : 620.0 670.0 660.0 99 OR : 9.0 10.0 8.5 85 SD : 17.5 21.5 22.0 102 TX : 17.0 20.0 10.0 50 UT : 4.5 3.0 3.5 117 WA : 49.0 61.0 55.0 90 WI : 5.7 5.6 6.0 107 WY : 34.0 29.0 25.0 86 : US : 1,630.0 1,629.8 1,504.5 92 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Excludes beans grown for garden seed. 2/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans): Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted Size & State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- 1,000 Acres ---------- Percent : Small Chickpeas 2/ : CA : ID : 3.0 4.0 4.0 100 MT : 1.4 2.4 4.0 167 NE : ND : 4.0 7.5 6.0 80 OR : 0.5 SD : 1.0 WA : 1.6 3.5 2.0 57 : US : 10.5 17.4 17.0 98 : Large Chickpeas 3/ : CA : 10.0 16.0 8.0 50 ID : 28.0 40.0 35.0 88 MT : 4.6 6.4 9.0 141 NE : 1.1 1.1 1.0 91 ND : 2.1 5.5 8.0 145 OR : 2.6 3.5 3.5 100 SD : 6.4 9.4 9.0 96 WA : 24.5 37.5 35.0 93 : US : 79.3 119.4 108.5 91 : All Chickpeas : CA : 10.0 16.0 8.0 50 ID : 31.0 44.0 39.0 89 MT : 6.0 8.8 13.0 148 NE : 1.1 1.1 1.0 91 ND : 6.1 13.0 14.0 108 OR : 3.1 3.5 3.5 100 SD : 6.4 9.4 10.0 106 WA : 26.1 41.0 37.0 90 : US : 89.8 136.8 125.5 92 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. 2/ Garbanzo beans smaller than 20/64 inch. 3/ Garbanzo beans larger than 20/64 inch. Lentils: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------- 1,000 Acres ------------- Percent : ID : 65.0 50.0 45.0 90 MT : 150.0 142.0 95.0 67 ND : 150.0 160.0 130.0 81 WA : 85.0 77.0 70.0 91 : US : 450.0 429.0 340.0 79 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Dry Edible Peas: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- 1,000 Acres ----------- Percent : ID : 48.0 30.0 20.0 67 MT : 135.0 210.0 280.0 133 ND : 540.0 610.0 520.0 85 OR : 5.0 8.5 7.0 82 WA : 80.0 67.0 75.0 112 : US : 808.0 925.5 902.0 97 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Austrian Winter Peas: Area Planted by State and United States, 2005-2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 1/ : 2007/2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- 1,000 Acres ---------- Percent : ID : 10.0 9.0 6.0 67 MT : 25.0 32.0 27.0 84 OR : 7.5 5.0 4.0 80 : US : 42.5 46.0 37.0 80 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Intended plantings in 2007 as indicated by reports from farmers. Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 2006-2007 (Domestic Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 2006 : 2007 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : Grains & Hay : Barley : 3,452.0 3,703.0 2,951.0 Corn for Grain 2/ : 78,327.0 90,454.0 70,648.0 Corn for Silage : 6,477.0 Hay, All : 60,807.0 63,056.0 Alfalfa : 21,384.0 All Other : 39,423.0 Oats : 4,168.0 4,029.0 1,576.0 Proso Millet : 580.0 475.0 Rice : 2,838.0 2,644.0 2,821.0 Rye : 1,396.0 274.0 Sorghum for Grain 2/ : 6,522.0 7,109.0 4,937.0 Sorghum for Silage : 347.0 Wheat, All : 57,344.0 60,303.0 46,810.0 Winter : 40,575.0 44,505.0 31,117.0 Durum : 1,870.0 1,990.0 1,815.0 Other Spring : 14,899.0 13,808.0 13,878.0 : Oilseeds : Canola : 1,044.0 1,168.0 1,021.0 Cottonseed : Flaxseed : 813.0 390.0 767.0 Mustard Seed : 40.5 39.2 Peanuts : 1,243.0 1,197.0 1,209.0 Rapeseed : 1.4 1.0 Safflower : 189.0 179.0 Soybeans for Beans : 75,522.0 67,140.0 74,602.0 Sunflower : 1,950.0 1,799.0 1,770.0 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All : 15,274.0 12,147.0 12,731.5 Upland : 14,948.0 11,855.0 12,408.0 Amer-Pima : 326.0 292.0 323.5 Sugarbeets : 1,366.7 1,294.7 1,304.1 Sugarcane : 908.8 Tobacco : 339.0 344.2 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 46.0 37.0 22.5 Dry Edible Beans : 1,629.8 1,504.5 1,537.6 Dry Edible Peas : 925.5 902.0 884.1 Lentils : 429.0 340.0 407.0 Wrinkled Seed Peas : : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 6.3 Ginger Root (HI) : 0.1 Hops : 29.4 Peppermint Oil : 79.2 Potatoes, All : 1,134.7 1,115.5 Winter : 17.7 11.5 17.5 11.5 Spring : 70.7 67.5 Summer : 58.4 54.3 Fall : 987.9 976.2 Spearmint Oil : 18.5 Sweet Potatoes : 95.6 92.9 87.2 Taro (HI) 3/ : 0.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2007 crop year. 2/ Area planted for all purposes. 3/ Area is total acres in crop, not harvested acreage. Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 2006-2007 (Domestic Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Yield : Production Crop :Unit :------------------------------------------- : : 2006 : 2007 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : ------ 1,000 ----- : : Grains & Hay : : Barley : Bu : 61.0 180,051 Corn for Grain : " : 149.1 10,534,868 Corn for Silage : Ton : 16.2 104,849 Hay, All : " : 2.33 141,666 Alfalfa : " : 3.35 71,666 All Other : " : 1.78 70,000 Oats : Bu : 59.5 93,764 Proso Millet : " : 21.5 10,195 Rice 2/ : Cwt : 6,868 193,736 Rye : Bu : 26.3 7,193 Sorghum for Grain : " : 56.2 277,538 Sorghum for Silage : Ton : 13.4 4,642 Wheat, All : Bu : 38.7 1,812,036 Winter : " : 41.7 1,298,081 Durum : " : 29.5 53,475 Other Spring : " : 33.2 460,480 : : Oilseeds : : Canola : Lb : 1,366 1,394,332 Cottonseed 3/ : Ton : 7,632.0 Flaxseed : Bu : 14.4 11,019 Mustard Seed : Lb : 720 28,220 Peanuts : " : 2,874 3,474,450 Rapeseed : " : 1,100 1,100 Safflower : " : 1,069 191,405 Soybeans for Beans : Bu : 42.7 3,188,247 Sunflower : Lb : 1,211 2,143,613 : : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : : Cotton, All 2/ : Bale: 819 21,729.0 Upland 2/ : " : 811 20,973.0 Amer-Pima 2/ : " : 1,122 756.0 Sugarbeets : Ton : 25.9 33,765 Sugarcane : " : 32.8 29,799 Tobacco : Lb : 2,144 726,724 : : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : : Austrian Winter Peas 2/ : Cwt : 1,151 259 Dry Edible Beans 2/ : " : 1,577 24,247 Dry Edible Peas 2/ : " : 1,493 13,203 Lentils 2/ : " : 797 3,244 Wrinkled Seed Peas 3/ : " : 590 : : Potatoes & Misc. : : Coffee (HI) : Lb : 1,160 7,300 Ginger Root (HI) : " : 43,000 4,300 Hops : " : 1,964 57,686.7 Peppermint Oil : " : 92 7,248 Potatoes, All : Cwt : 390 434,683 Winter : " : 257 250 4,495 2,875 Spring : " : 293 19,766 Summer : " : 340 18,444 Fall : " : 402 391,978 Spearmint Oil : Lb : 110 2,038 Sweet Potatoes : Cwt : 189 16,441 Taro (HI) 3/ : Lb : 4,500 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2007 crop year. 2/ Yield in pounds. 3/ Yield is not estimated. Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 2006-2007 (Metric Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 2006 : 2007 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hectares : Grains & Hay : Barley : 1,396,990 1,498,570 1,194,240 Corn for Grain 2/ :31,698,150 36,605,830 28,590,540 Corn for Silage : 2,621,180 Hay, All 3/ : 24,607,980 25,518,130 Alfalfa : 8,653,890 All Other : 15,954,090 Oats : 1,686,750 1,630,500 637,790 Proso Millet : 234,720 192,230 Rice : 1,148,510 1,070,000 1,141,630 Rye : 564,950 110,890 Sorghum for Grain 2/ : 2,639,390 2,876,940 1,997,950 Sorghum for Silage : 140,430 Wheat, All 3/ :23,206,540 24,404,020 18,943,540 Winter :16,420,300 18,010,730 12,592,740 Durum : 756,770 805,330 734,510 Other Spring : 6,029,480 5,587,960 5,616,290 : Oilseeds : Canola : 422,500 472,680 413,190 Cottonseed : Flaxseed : 329,010 157,830 310,400 Mustard Seed : 16,390 15,860 Peanuts : 503,030 484,410 489,270 Rapeseed : 570 400 Safflower : 76,490 72,440 Soybeans for Beans :30,563,000 27,170,890 30,190,680 Sunflower : 789,150 728,040 716,300 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All 3/ : 6,181,240 4,915,770 5,152,310 Upland : 6,049,310 4,797,600 5,021,390 Amer-Pima : 131,930 118,170 130,920 Sugarbeets : 553,090 523,950 527,760 Sugarcane : 367,780 Tobacco : 137,170 139,280 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 18,620 14,970 9,110 Dry Edible Beans : 659,560 608,860 622,250 Dry Edible Peas : 374,540 365,030 357,790 Lentils : 173,610 137,590 164,710 Wrinkled Seed Peas : : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 2,550 Ginger Root (HI) : 40 Hops : 11,880 Peppermint Oil : 32,050 Potatoes, All 3/ : 459,200 451,430 Winter : 7,160 4,650 7,080 4,650 Spring : 28,610 27,320 Summer : 23,630 21,970 Fall : 399,790 395,060 Spearmint Oil : 7,490 Sweet Potatoes : 38,690 37,600 35,290 Taro (HI) 4/ : 150 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2007 crop year. 2/ Area planted for all purposes. 3/ Total may not add due to rounding. 4/ Area is total hectares in crop, not harvested hectares. Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 2006-2007 (Metric Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Yield : Production Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 2006 : 2007 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Metric Tons : Grains & Hay : Barley : 3.28 3,920,150 Corn for Grain : 9.36 267,597,970 Corn for Silage : 36.29 95,117,410 Hay, All 2/ : 5.22 128,517,230 Alfalfa : 7.51 65,014,300 All Other : 3.98 63,502,930 Oats : 2.13 1,360,980 Proso Millet : 1.20 231,220 Rice : 7.70 8,787,720 Rye : 1.65 182,710 Sorghum for Grain : 3.53 7,049,790 Sorghum for Silage : 29.99 4,211,150 Wheat, All 2/ : 2.60 49,315,540 Winter : 2.81 35,327,980 Durum : 1.98 1,455,350 Other Spring : 2.23 12,532,210 : Oilseeds : Canola : 1.53 632,460 Cottonseed 3/ : 6,923,630 Flaxseed : 0.90 279,900 Mustard Seed : 0.81 12,800 Peanuts : 3.22 1,575,980 Rapeseed : 1.23 500 Safflower : 1.20 86,820 Soybeans for Beans : 2.87 86,769,860 Sunflower : 1.36 972,330 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All 2/ : 0.92 4,730,930 Upland : 0.91 4,566,330 Amer-Pima : 1.26 164,600 Sugarbeets : 58.04 30,631,090 Sugarcane : 73.50 27,033,200 Tobacco : 2.40 329,640 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 1.29 11,750 Dry Edible Beans : 1.77 1,099,830 Dry Edible Peas : 1.67 598,880 Lentils : 0.89 147,150 Wrinkled Seed Peas 3/ : 26,760 : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 1.30 3,310 Ginger Root (HI) : 48.20 1,950 Hops : 2.20 26,170 Peppermint Oil : 0.10 3,290 Potatoes, All 2/ : 43.68 19,716,890 Winter : 28.79 28.02 203,890 130,410 Spring : 32.82 896,570 Summer : 38.07 836,610 Fall : 45.01 17,779,820 Spearmint Oil : 0.12 920 Sweet Potatoes : 21.13 745,750 Taro (HI) 3/ : 2,040 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2007 crop year. 2/ Production may not add due to rounding. 3/ Yield is not estimated. Winter Weather Review Highlights: Given the wild weather swings in any given geographic location, it was almost impossible to characterize the winter of 2006-07 in simplistic terms. Overall, mild weather from the upper Midwest into the East contrasted with colder-than-normal weather from California to the central and southern High Plains. However, the second half of the winter was very cold from the Plains to the East Coast, while the West warmed in February. In terms of precipitation, a swath of stormy weather prevailed from the southern Rockies and southern Plains northeastward to the Great Lakes States. Multiple episodes of snow, ice, wind, and bitter cold maintained difficult conditions for livestock across parts of the Plains and Midwest. In contrast, drier-than-normal conditions dominated the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic States, along with the majority of the northern High Plains and the West. During the topsy-turvy winter of 2006-07, cooler-than-normal conditions in the south-central U.S. contrasted with unusually mild weather across the North and East. It was the 27th-coldest December-February period in Texas, but the 13th-warmest winter in Delaware and New Jersey. Overall, it was the nation's 45th-warmest winter since 1895-96, with an average temperature of 33.6 degrees F (0.6 degree F above normal). Meanwhile, December-February precipitation averaged 6.24 inches (96 percent of normal) across the contiguous U.S., marking the 47th-driest winter on record. State rankings ranged from the sixth-driest winter in Tennessee to the second-wettest such period in Kansas and Nebraska. December: Four major winter storms left destructive paths across the central and western U.S., due to snow, ice, and wind. The month opened with a storm underway across the Nation's mid-section. As much as 6 to 18 inches of snow blanketed areas from Texas' northern panhandle into parts of Michigan, while damaging ice accumulations were most significant from east-central Missouri into central Illinois. On December 14-15, a powerful Pacific storm swept into the Northwest, causing extensive wind damage and bearing heavy rain and snow. Severe storm effects spread inland as far as the northern Rockies, where some high-elevation wind gusts topped 150 m.p.h. The year ended on an incredibly stormy note from the southern Rockies into the upper Midwest. On December 20-21, a blizzard engulfed the central High Plains and adjacent Rockies, curtailing pre-holiday travel and severely stressing livestock. Meanwhile, ice accumulations were particularly heavy in central Nebraska. Barely a week later (December 28-31), another storm dropped a swath of heavy snow from New Mexico to North Dakota, again paralyzing travel and causing unspecified livestock losses, pending further assessment. Ice accumulations from northern Texas into Minnesota triggered widespread damage and power outages. In sharp contrast, monthly precipitation totaled less than 25 percent of normal in the Desert Southwest and a small section of the northern Plains. Following an early-December spell of chilly weather, bitterly cold air receded into Canada and Alaska. Nevertheless, cold air trailing the early-month storm brought crop-threatening freezes to southern Louisiana's sugarcane-producing areas on December 5, 8, and 9. By December 8, above-normal temperatures reached the northern Plains and upper Midwest and stayed for the remainder of the month. Unusual warmth spread to the East Coast by December 10 and also persisted through month's end. As a result, monthly temperatures averaged 6 to 12 degrees F above normal in most locations from the northern Plains into the Northeast. In contrast, near-normal monthly temperatures were observed from the central and southern High Plains westward, except for readings as much as 6 degrees F below normal in some snow-covered Western valleys. One benefit of the stormy weather was a boost in moisture for the Plains' winter wheat crop. Snow provided wheat with insulation, although the early-month cold snap exposed the crop in western portions of South Dakota and Nebraska to temperatures as low as -10 degrees F. Elsewhere, persistently wet, muddy conditions were a concern for livestock and winter wheat in the eastern Corn Belt and the Northwest. Wet conditions also developed in the central Gulf Coast region, but showers provided some drought relief in the southern Atlantic States. January: The month began on a warm note, especially across the eastern half of the United States, but ended under a very chilly regime nationwide. Monthly temperatures ranged more than 5 degrees F below normal in deeply snow-covered areas of the central High Plains and Intermountain West to at least 5 degrees F above normal in a broad area stretching across the northern Plains, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic States. Following a mild spell, frigid air poured into the West on January 11-12, signaling the onset of one of the three most damaging cold outbreaks (along with December 1990 and 1998) of the last quarter-century in winter agricultural areas of central and southern California and the Desert Southwest. The most significant Western freeze damage occurred on January 13-14, although hard freezes (readings at or below 28 degrees F) lingered in parts of California's San Joaquin Valley for more than a week. Farther east, winter crop areas of the Deep South escaped hard freezes, although temperatures briefly fell to near the freezing mark (32 degrees F) in southern Texas on January 16-17 and in parts of southern Florida on January 30. Mid- to late-month temperatures occasionally plunged below -20 degrees F across the Dakotas and the upper Midwest, stressing livestock that had been accustomed to unusually mild weather for more than a month. However, livestock on the central High Plains endured an especially difficult month due to chilly conditions and a substantial snow cover in the wake of back-to-back December blizzards. Wetter-than-normal weather prevailed in January from central and southern sections of the Rockies and Plains northeastward into the Ohio Valley and lower Great Lakes States. On the central Plains, a persistent snow cover favored overwintering wheat but maintained difficult conditions for livestock. Snow blanketed much of the southern Plains on January 19-20 and persisted for several days. Farther north, however, mild, breezy weather on the northern Plains eroded wheat's protective snow cover and left the crop exposed to weather extremes. Meanwhile, occasional snow fell across much of the Midwest, but heavy rain in the Ohio Valley triggered lowland flooding and left fields unfavorably wet. In contrast, near- to below-normal precipitation fell across the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic States. Conditions were especially dry across southern Florida, maintaining the need for citrus irrigation. Elsewhere, only light precipitation fell west of the Rockies, increasing concerns about summer water supplies. By month's end, Western snowpacks were particularly meager in the Sierra Nevada, the Great Basin, and parts of the Southwest. February: During February, wetter-than-normal conditions were observed in most areas from northern California eastward across the interior Northwest, northern Plains, and western Corn Belt. Precipitation was especially beneficial in the Sierra Nevada, where according to the California Department of Water Resources the water equivalent of the high-elevation snow pack improved from 8 to 16 inches (44 to 64 percent of normal for the date) between January 31 and February 28. Precipitation also aided winter grains across the interior Northwest and boosted high-elevation snow packs from the northern Great Basin to the northern Rockies. However, areas farther south received little moisture, resulting in drought intensification across Arizona and southern California. Meanwhile on the Plains, wetter-than-normal conditions across the northern half of the region contrasted with below-normal precipitation farther south. Conditions were dry enough on the southern Plains to contribute to a dust storm on February 24, when high winds swept across the region. On the northern Plains, however, occasional snow provided both moisture and insulation for winter wheat. During the mid- to late-month period, wintry precipitation shifted into the Midwest and Northeast, hampering rural travel and increasing livestock stress. A mid-February storm was particularly harsh across the central and eastern Corn Belt and the interior Northeast, with at least 10 inches of snow reported from central Illinois into northern Ohio, and as much as 20 to 40 inches falling from eastern New York into western Maine. Two late-month storms, just 5 days apart, produced a variety of weather impacts. Both storms plastered the upper Midwest with heavy snow, raked the Plains and Corn Belt with high winds, and triggered lowland flooding in parts of the central and eastern Corn Belt. Despite occasional showers and several severe thunderstorm outbreaks, most of the South observed below-normal February rainfall. As a result, spring planting preparations and other early-season fieldwork proceeded with only minor delays. Nevertheless, strong thunderstorms spawned Southern tornadoes on February 1-2, 12-13, 23-24, and 28. The fourth severe weather outbreak continued into early March. Storms were particularly deadly in central Florida during the pre-dawn hours of February 2, when there were 20 tornado-related fatalities in Lake County. Elsewhere across central and interior southern Florida, the coldest air of the season brought light freezes on February 17 and 19, although temperatures were not low enough to significantly threaten citrus, sugarcane, strawberries, or vegetables. Colder-than-normal weather from the Plains to the East Coast contrasted with near- to above-normal temperatures in the West. Monthly temperatures averaged at least 10 degrees F below normal from the central Corn Belt eastward into the central Appalachians. It was the coldest February since 1979 at numerous locations in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic States. Meanwhile, monthly temperatures averaged more than 5 degrees F above normal at several interior Western sites. Winter Agricultural Summary Temperatures for the three-month winter season (December 2006 - February 2007) averaged within 3 degrees F of normal nearly nationwide. Winter weather was slightly colder than normal from the Pacific Coast through the central and southern Rocky Mountains and into the central and southern Great Plains, but slightly warmer than normal across the northern Plains and from the Mississippi Valley eastward. In the central High Plains, temperatures averaged as low as 5 to 10 degrees F below normal, while temperatures in the upper Mississippi Valley averaged 4 to 6 degrees F above normal. Winter precipitation was significantly above normal from the southern High Plains northeastward into the lower Great Lakes region. In contrast, winter was significantly drier than normal across the Desert Southwest, and in portions of the Southeast. Multiple snow and ice storms produced precipitation totals 2 to 4 times normal from the southern and central High Plains, across Nebraska and into portions of Upper Mississippi Valley. The resulting snow cover across this region provided good protection during most of the season for overwintering wheat, but severely stressed livestock. Further north and west in Montana and the Dakotas, milder and drier than normal conditions kept snow cover well below normal for most of the season, leaving winter wheat exposed to possible wind and freeze damage. Above normal precipitation across the Corn Belt triggered lowland flooding in some areas, especially in the Ohio Valley. Persistently wet conditions left many fields and pastures excessively soggy, causing concern for livestock and winter wheat. In the Mississippi Delta and Southeast, drier than normal January and February weather offset gains from December rains, leaving precipitation totals near normal in the Delta and only 50 to 75 percent of normal throughout the Southeast. Conditions were generally favorable for crop development and harvest activities in Florida, and for field preparation activities across the region. Precipitation of 25 inches and more in northern California and the Pacific Northwest was near to slightly above normal for the winter season. In central and southern California, where mid-January freezes caused significant damage to citrus and a variety of other crops, lighter than normal precipitation increased irrigation requirements for winter grains. Very dry conditions prevailed in the Desert Southwest, with precipitation as little as 10 percent of normal in some areas. Corn: Growers intend to plant 90.5 million acres of corn for all purposes in 2007, up 15 percent from 2006 and 11 percent higher than 2005. If realized this would be the highest acreage since 1944, when 95.5 million acres were planted for all purposes. Expected acreage is up in nearly all States as favorable corn prices, caused by increased demand from ethanol producers and strong exports sales, are encouraging farmers to plant more acres to corn. The increase in intended corn acres is partially offset by lower expected acres of soybeans in the Corn Belt and Great Plains and fewer expected acres of cotton and rice in the Delta and Southeast. Illinois farmers intend to plant a record high 12.9 million acres of corn this spring, up 1.60 million acres from last year. North Dakota and Minnesota growers also expect to plant record high corn acres, up 910,000 and 600,000 acres, respectively. Corn farmers in the 10 major corn producing States (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) intend to plant 69.5 million acres, up 12 percent from the 62.2 million acres planted last year. Iowa continues to show the largest corn acreage at 13.9 million acres, up 1.30 million acres from last year. Sorghum: The 2007 sorghum area intended to be planted for all purposes is 7.11 million acres, up 9 percent from 2006. Sorghum acres are expected to increase in States located in the lower Mississippi Valley, including Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The largest increase is expected in Texas, where growers intend to plant 450,000 acres more than the previous year. With corn use shifting toward ethanol production, the expected sorghum increase in Texas is driven by higher grain prices and increased demand for grain sorghum as feed. Kansas continues to have the largest area of sorghum planting intentions at 2.80 million acres, up 2 percent from last year. Declining sorghum acres are expected in 10 States, with the largest decrease expected in Nebraska, where the intended sorghum area is 260,000 acres, down 110,000 from 2006. Oats: Acres seeded and to be seeded for the 2007 crop year are expected to total 4.03 million acres, down 3 percent from last year. If realized, this will be the lowest planted acreage on record. Area planted to oats is expected to decrease or remain unchanged in 20 States, including most States in the northern and central Rocky Mountains, central Corn Belt, and the Ohio Valley. The largest decrease is expected in Iowa, where the intended planted area is 140,000 acres, down 70,000 acres from 2006. Large decreases are also expected in South Dakota and Wisconsin, down 13 percent and 16 percent, respectively, from the previous year. The largest increase is in North Dakota where 530,000 acres are expected, an increase of 110,000 acres from 2006. A sizable increase is also expected in Oklahoma where hay and forage supplies are short. However, these increases were not enough to offset the declines shown across much of the nation's mid-section. Barley: Growers intend to plant 3.70 million acres for 2007, up 7 percent from last year. If realized, this will be the second lowest barley planted acreage on record. In North Dakota, expected area planted is 1.30 million acres, up 18 percent from the record low in 2006. Montana's expected area increased 4 percent from 770,000 acres in 2006 to 800,000 acres this year. Idaho's and Washington's expected acreage is up 4 and 10 percent, respectively. Growers in Oregon, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, South Dakota, Delaware, and Maryland also expect to plant more acres than in 2006, while the acreage in California and Minnesota is expected to decline to record lows. Winter Wheat: The 2007 winter wheat planted area is estimated at 44.5 million acres, up 1 percent from the Winter Wheat Seedings report. Acreage increases from the previous report were mainly in the Soft Red Winter growing States. States with the most notable acreage increases were Mississippi and Georgia. Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and Oregon were the only States to show an acreage decrease. Of the total acreage, about 31.9 million acres are Hard Red Winter, 8.66 million acres are Soft Red Winter, and 3.92 million acres are White Winter. With adequate moisture received over most of the Great Plains during the winter, crop conditions have improved from last fall. Durum Wheat: Area seeded to Durum wheat is expected to total 1.99 million acres, up 6 percent from 2006. Planted acreage is expected to be up in all producing States except Montana. Growers in Montana are expected to switch acres previously planted to Durum wheat to pulse crops. In California, Durum wheat is progressing well with no major problems being reported at this time. Other Spring Wheat: Growers intend to plant 13.8 million acres this year, down 7 percent from 2006. Of the total, about 13.3 million acres are Hard Red Spring wheat. The most notable expected acreage declines are in the Dakotas and Montana. In North and South Dakota producers have planted more winter wheat and expect to shift acreage into corn, while Montana producers have also shifted acres to winter wheat and intend to plant more pulse crops. With adequate moisture levels and good prices, farmers in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho intend to plant more other spring wheat than last year. Rice: Area intended for rice in 2007 is estimated at 2.64 million acres, down 7 percent from 2006 and down 22 percent from 2005. If realized, this will be the lowest planted acreage since 1987. Growers in Arkansas intend to plant 1.22 million acres, down 13 percent from last year. Expected long grain planted acreage, representing 76 percent of the total, is down 8 percent from last year. Intended medium grain planted acreage, representing 21 percent of the total, decreased 3 percent from 2006. Area expected to be planted to short grain varieties is up 8 percent and represents 3 percent of the total. Producers of long-grain rice face possible issues with seed availability as the result of actions taken to prevent planting of two prevalent seed varieties which were taken off the market as a result of the possible presence of genetic material not yet approved for commercialization. Preventative actions taken by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Arkansas Plant Board regarding the Clearfield 131 variety were announced on March 5. NASS attempted to verify the planting intentions of all respondents that reported long-grain rice acres on the survey prior to March 6. Hay: Producers expect to harvest 63.1 million acres of all hay in 2007, up 4 percent from 2006. Harvested acres are expected to increase from last year throughout the Great Plains and Southeast. Due to last year's drought reduced production and low hay supplies, harvested area is expected to increase by more than 100,000 acres throughout the Great Plains and in Alabama, Missouri, and Minnesota. The State with the largest expected increase is South Dakota, up 700,000 acres from 2006. However, acres for harvest in the Pacific Coast, Tennessee Valley, the Northeast and much of the Corn Belt are expected to decline or remain unchanged from 2006. The State with the largest expected decrease in harvested area is Iowa, with a decline of 100,000 acres from previous year. In the west, California expects harvested area to be down 50,000 acres. Soybeans: Growers intend to plant an estimated 67.1 million acres in 2007, down 11 percent from the acreage planted in 2006. Acreage declines are expected in all growing areas, except in New York and the Southeast. The largest decline is expected in Illinois, down 1.40 million acres from 2006. Large decreases are also expected in Iowa and North Dakota, down 950,000 acres and 800,000 acres, respectively. Many growers intend to plant more corn instead of soybeans as ethanol expansion is increasing the demand for corn. However, growers in New York and the Southeast intend to plant more soybean acres than last year, with the largest increase of 95,000 acres expected in Georgia. Expected planted acreage in New York, at 210,000, would be the largest on record. Growers in the 11 major soybean producing States (Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota) intend to plant 55.0 million acres, down 12 percent from last year. Peanuts: Producers intend to plant 1.20 million acres of peanuts in 2007, down 4 percent from last year. If realized, planted acreage would be the lowest since 1915. Southeast growers (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina) intend to plant 857,000 acres, down 10 percent from last year. The most significant acreage decline in this region is expected in Georgia, down 14 percent from last year, where producers intend to plant more corn and soybeans. In the Virginia-North Carolina region, producers intend to plant 118,000 acres, up 16 percent from 2006. Growers in the Southwest (New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) intend to plant 222,000 acres, up 17 percent from last year. Sunflower: Growers expect to plant a total of 1.80 million acres in 2007, down 8 percent from last year and down 34 percent from 2005. Area intended for oil type varieties, at 1.47 million acres, is down 12 percent from 2006, but the non-oil varieties, estimated at 334,000 acres, are up 14 percent from last year. North Dakota sunflower growers intend to plant 910,000 acres in 2007, up 10,000 from 2006, and growers in Minnesota are expecting an acreage increase this year of 11,000 acres. However, acreage decreases are expected in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Texas. Growers in South Dakota intend to plant 405,000 acres, down 125,000 from the previous year. Canola: Producers intend to plant 1.17 million acres in 2007, up 12 percent from 2006 and up less than 1 percent from 2005. Producers in North Dakota, the leading canola State, intend to plant 1.05 million acres, while producers in Minnesota and Montana expect to plant 35,000 and 17,000 acres, respectively. Flaxseed: Producers expect to plant 390,000 acres of flaxseed in 2007, down 52 percent from last year's total of 813,000 acres. Planting intentions are down in all 4 States in the estimating program (Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota). North Dakota growers intend to plant 350,000 acres in 2007, down 53 percent from 2006. If realized, this would be the lowest acreage of flaxseed in North Dakota since 1999. Cotton: Area planted to cotton for 2007 is expected to total 12.1 million acres, down 20 percent from last year. Upland acreage is expected to total 11.9 million acres, 21 percent below last year and the lowest since 1989. American-Pima cotton growers intend to plant 292,000 acres, down 10 percent from last year. Due to the increased demand and higher prices of crops used for bio-fuels, some producers intend to plant those crops instead of cotton. Upland growers in the Delta States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee) are expecting the largest decrease in acreage. Producers intend to plant 2.91 million acres, a 31 percent decrease from the previous year. Farmers in Mississippi expect to plant 740,000 acres, 40 percent less than last year and the lowest acreage since 1983. In Louisiana producers intend to plant 380,000 acres, the lowest since 1975. In the Southeastern States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia) growers intend to plant 2.55 million acres, a decrease of 24 percent from last year. The expected area in North Carolina, at 570,000 acres, represents the largest decline in the region at 34 percent less than 2006. Producers in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Mexico intend to plant 6.01 million acres, a 13 percent decrease from last year. Texas producers expect to plant 5.70 million acres, down 700,000 from last year. In southern Texas, planting is underway. Upland planted acreage in California and Arizona is expected to total 390,000 acres, down 18 percent from last year. California producers intend to plant 210,000 acres, the lowest since upland estimates began in 1941. American-Pima acreage intentions, at 292,000 acres, is a decrease of 34,000 acres from last year. Expected area is down in all States with California down 25,000 acres from last year and Arizona and New Mexico both down 4,000 acres from last year. California producers intend to plant 250,000 acres of American-Pima, surpassing the upland acreage for the first time in history. By mid-March, planting was underway throughout the valley. Sugarbeets: Area planted to sugarbeets for the 2007 crop year is expected to total 1.29 million acres, 5 percent lower than the 2006 planted acreage. Intended plantings decreased from last year in all States, except Washington, which is unchanged. Expected acreage decreased by 22,000 in Minnesota and 4,000 in North Dakota, the 2 largest-producing States. Idaho, with an expected 10,000 fewer acres planted in 2007 than 2006, has the second largest expected decrease in planted acres behind Minnesota. If realized, California's planted acreage will be the lowest on record. Tobacco: U.S. all tobacco area for harvest in 2007 is expected to be 344,170 acres, up 2 percent from 2006 and 16 percent above 2005. Despite the increase, tobacco acreage is still below levels prior to the elimination of the tobacco quota program and price supports. An increase in burley acreage this year is expected to offset a slight decrease in flue-cured tobacco acreage. Acreage increases are also expected in fire-cured, dark-air cured, and cigar type tobaccos. Flue-cured tobacco intentions, at 212,000 acres, are 1 percent below a year ago but up 21 percent from 2005. Flue-cured acreage accounts for 62 percent of this year's expected total tobacco acreage. Acreage in North Carolina, the leading flue-cured State, is unchanged from a year ago. The expected drop in flue-cured acreage can be attributed to a 13 percent decrease in South Carolina, the second largest flue-cured State. The labor shortage is a big concern in South Carolina, leading some growers to quit growing tobacco. Both Georgia and Virginia are expecting increases in flue-cured acreage this year, up 12 percent and 6 percent, respectively. Light air-cured tobacco type acreage is expected to be up 4 percent from a year ago and 7 percent above 2005. Burley tobacco, at 107,500 acres, is 4 percent above 2006 and up 7 percent from two years ago. In Kentucky, the leading burley State, growers expect acreage to increase 5 percent from 2006. Acreage in Pennsylvania and Missouri is expected to increase 18 percent and 7 percent, respectively. Growers in Tennessee, the second largest burley State, expect acreage to decrease 7 percent. A 5 percent decrease is expected in burley acreage in North Carolina. Acreage in Ohio and Virginia is expected to stay the same. Pennsylvania's southern Maryland type tobacco acres are estimated at 1,100, unchanged from a year ago but down 27 percent from 2005. Fire-cured tobacco intentions, at 13,050 acres, are up 12 percent from 2006 and 10 percent above 2005. Acreage in Kentucky and Tennessee is expected to increase from last year 20 percent and 4 percent, respectively. Virginia acreage is expected to be unchanged from a year ago. Dark air-cured tobacco intentions, at 4,850 acres, are 8 percent above last year and up 17 percent from 2005. Acreage in Kentucky is expected to increase 8 percent from last year and Tennessee growers are expecting an increase of 10 percent. Virginia farmers do not expect to grow sun-cured tobacco again this year due to the lack of contracts. All cigar type tobacco intentions, at 5,670 acres, are up 13 percent from 2006 and 15 percent above two years ago. Pennsylvania Seedleaf, at 1,800 acres, is up 38 percent from last year. Connecticut Valley binder acreage, at 2,700, is 2 percent above 2006. Expected acres of Connecticut Valley shade-grown tobacco are estimated to be 1,170, up 11 percent from a year ago. Sweet Potatoes: Growers intend to plant 92,900 acres of sweet potatoes in 2007, down 3 percent from last year but 2 percent above 2005. This intended decline in planted acreage is being influenced by dry conditions in several States. Intentions in North Carolina, New Jersey, and Virginia are unchanged from last year's final planted acreages. Growers in North Carolina are optimistic following a good crop last year. In South Carolina, planted acreage is expected to decline 25 percent from 2006. Growers in most Gulf Coast States plan to cut back their acreage due to drought and economic pressure caused by the poor crop in 2006. Acreage is expected to be down 6 percent in Mississippi, 11 percent in Louisiana, and 18 percent in Texas. Growers in Alabama intend to plant 4 percent more acres than last year. Planting intentions in California are up 6 percent from last year, and if realized will be the largest acreage since 1959. Dry Beans: Growers intend to plant 1.50 million acres in 2007, down 8 percent from both last year and 2005. The decrease in planted acres can be attributed in part to strong prices for competing crops. Expected plantings for all chickpeas totals 125,500 acres, down 8 percent from 2006 but 40 percent above two years ago. Small chickpea acreage is expected to be 2 percent below last year but 62 percent above 2005. Large chickpeas are expected to decline 9 percent from 2007 but increase 37 percent from two years ago. Small chickpeas are defined as peas that will pass through a 20/64 inch round hole screen. Acreage declines are expected in 12 of the 18 dry bean estimating States. In North Dakota, the largest producing State, growers intend to plant 10,000 fewer acres. Nebraska shows the largest drop, down 40,000 acres from last year. In Idaho, disease pressure and strong prices for alternative crops have lowered acreage expectations for dry beans and chickpeas. Growers in many Colorado areas remain concerned about irrigation water shortages. California growers intend to plant 4 percent more acres this year, even though field conditions are drier than normal due to below average winter rainfall. Lentils: Area planted for the 2007 crop year is expected to total 340,000 acres, down 21 percent from 2006 and 24 percent below two years ago. All four estimating States are expecting a decrease in planted acreage. Higher prices for competing crops have contributed to the lower planting intentions. Farmers in North Dakota, the largest producing State, expect to plant 130,000 acres of lentils this year, down 19 percent from a year ago and 13 percent below two years ago. This would be the first planted acreage decline since North Dakota's estimates began in 1998. Montana's intended plantings are down 33 percent from 2006. Idaho and Washington are expected to be down 10 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Dry Edible Peas: Growers intend to plant 902,000 acres in 2007, down 3 percent from 2006 but 12 percent above two years ago. If realized, this would be the first decrease in dry edible pea planted acreage since 2000. Higher prices from competing crops have led to lower intended acreage in three of the five estimating States. Intended acreage in North Dakota, the largest producing State, is down 15 percent from a year ago and 4 percent below the 2005 crop year. Idaho and Oregon expect to be down 33 percent and 18 percent, respectively. However, Montana and Washington growers expect increases in planted acres. Montana's intended acreage is up 33 percent from last year as producers are shifting acreage from lentils and Austrian winter peas into dry edible peas to be used as a source of animal feed. Producers in Washington reported a 12 percent increase in planted acreage intentions from the 2006 crop year. Austrian Winter Peas: Area planted to Austrian winter peas for the 2007 crop year is expected to be 37,000 acres, down 20 percent from 2006 and 13 percent below two years ago. If realized, this would be the lowest planted acreage since the 2004 crop year. Higher prices for competing crops have reduced the Austrian winter pea acreage intentions. All three estimating States expect decreased acreage. Reliability of Acreage Data in this Report Survey Procedures: The acreage estimates in this report are based primarily on surveys conducted during the first 2 weeks of March. The March Agricultural Survey is a probability survey that includes a sample of over 86,000 farm operators selected from a list of producers that ensures all operations in the U.S. have a chance to be selected. These operators were contacted by mail, internet, telephone, or personal interview to obtain information on crop acreage planned for the 2007 crop year. Estimating Procedures: National, Regional, State, and grower reported data were reviewed for reasonableness and consistency with historical estimates. Each State Field Office submits their analysis of the current situation to the Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB). Survey data are compiled to the National level and are reviewed at this level independently of each State's review. Acreage estimates were based on survey data and the historical relationship of official estimates to the survey data. Revision Policy: Acreage estimates in the "Prospective Plantings" report will not be revised. These estimates are intended to reflect grower 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. These new estimates will be published in the "Acreage" report scheduled for June 29, 2007. Winter wheat is an exception. Since winter wheat was seeded prior to the March survey, any changes in estimates in this report are considered revisions. The estimate of the harvested acreage of winter wheat will be published on May 11, 2007, along with the first production forecast of the crop year. Reliability: The survey used to make acreage estimates is subject to sampling and non-sampling errors that are common to all surveys. Sampling errors represent the variability between estimates that would result if many different samples were surveyed at the same time. Sampling errors for major crops are generally between 1.0 and 3.0 percent, but they cannot be applied directly to the acreage published in this report to determine confidence intervals because the official estimates represent a composite of information from more than a single source. Non-sampling errors cannot be measured directly. They may occur due to incorrect reporting and/or recording, data omissions or duplications, and errors in processing. To minimize non-sampling errors, vigorous quality controls are used in the data collection process and all data are carefully reviewed for consistency and reasonableness. To assist users in evaluating the reliability of acreage estimates in this report, the "Root Mean Square Error," a statistical measure based on past performance, is computed. The deviations between the acreage estimates in this report and the final estimates are expressed as a percentage of the final estimates. The average of squared percentage deviations for the latest 20-year period is computed. The square root of the average becomes statistically the "Root Mean Square Error." Probability statements can be made concerning expected differences in the current estimates relative to the final end-of-season estimates, assuming that factors affecting this year's estimates are not different from those influencing recent years. For example, the "Root Mean Square Error" for the corn planted estimate is 2.0 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the current corn acreage estimate will not be above or below the final estimate by more than 2.0 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 (90 percent confidence level) that the difference will not exceed 3.4 percent. Also, shown in the table is a 20-year record for selected crops of the difference between the "Prospective Plantings" planted acreage estimates and the final estimates. Using corn again as an example, changes between the intentions estimates and the final estimates during the past 20 years have averaged 1.07 million acres, ranging from 153,000 acres to 3.84 million acres. The prospective plantings estimates have been below the final estimate 7 times and above 13 times. This does not imply that the planted estimate this year is likely to understate or overstate the final estimate. Reliability of Prospective Plantings Planted Acreage Estimates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 20-Year Record of : : : Differences Between Forecast : : : and Final Estimate : : :------------------------------------ : Root Mean : : Thousand Acres : Number of Crop :Square Error: 90 : Quantity : Years : Percent : Percent :------------------------------------ : :Confidence : : : :Below:Above : : Interval :Average:Smallest:Largest:Final:Final -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- 1,000 Acres ---- Number : Corn : 2.0 3.4 1,071 153 3,844 7 13 Sorghum : 8.4 14.6 667 31 2,471 10 10 Oats : 7.5 13.0 538 21 2,429 2 18 Barley : 4.8 8.3 280 31 667 3 17 Winter Wheat : 1.4 2.4 513 9 1,630 8 12 Durum Wheat : 7.0 12.1 176 12 552 13 7 Other Spring Wheat: 5.8 10.0 801 12 2,543 13 7 Soybeans : 2.0 3.4 1,114 25 2,582 13 7 Upland Cotton : 4.0 6.9 429 6 945 10 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. Jeff Geuder, Chief .(202) 720-2127 Field Crops Section Greg Thessen, Head(202) 720-2127 Shiela Corley - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings(202) 720-5944 Todd Ballard - Wheat, Rye(202) 720-8068 Ty Kalaus - Corn, Proso Millet, Flaxseed(202) 720-9526 Dennis Koong - Peanuts, Rice(202) 720-7688 Travis Thorson - Soybeans, Sunflower, Other Oilseeds(202) 720-7369 King Whetstone - Hay, Oats, Sorghum(202) 690-3234 Greg Thessen - Crop Weather, Barley, Sugar Crops(202) 720-2127 Fruits, Vegetables & Special Crops Section Lance Honig, Head(202) 720-2127 Leslie Colburn - Berries, Grapes, Maple Syrup, Tobacco(202) 720-7235 Debbie Flippin - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries(202) 720-2157 Rich Holcomb - Citrus, Tropical Fruits(202) 720-5412 Doug Marousek - Floriculture, Nursery, Tree Nuts(202) 720-4215 Dan Norris - Austrian Winter Peas, Dry Edible Peas, Lentils, Mint, Mushrooms, Peaches, Pears, Wrinkled Seed Peas(202) 720-3250 Faye Propsom- Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Cranberries, Plums, Prunes(202) 720-4288 Kim Ritchie - Hops(360) 902-1940 Cathy Scherrer - Dry Beans, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes(202) 720-4285 ACCESS TO REPORTS!! 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