Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 3/31/20

“Today’s USDA Prospective Plantings report is the first survey-based estimates of North Carolina farmers’ planting intentions for 2020,” said Dee Webb, North Carolina State Statistician. “Conducted during the first two weeks of March, the March Agricultural Survey provided the factual data required to create these projections. Over the coming months, North Carolina farmers will be contacted again to verify or update their planted acreage, and provide more detail on their expectations for harvested acreage, yield and production of North Carolina’s crops. We encourage all of our farmers to participate in the survey process, specifically utilizing our secure, online data reporting options whenever possible.”

• Corn plantings are expected to total 1,050,000 acres in 2020, up 6% from 2019. 
• Cotton growers intend to plant 500,000 acres in 2020, down 2% from last year. 
• Flue-cured tobacco growers expect to harvest 100,000 acres in 2020, down 15% from 2019. 
• Soybean plantings, expected to total 1,480 acres in 2020, down 4% from 2019. 
• Peanut growers intend to plant 105,000 acres in 2020, up 1% from 2019. 
• Winter wheat plantings totaled 480,000 acres, up 66% from last year.

For the full report, click here.