Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 3/31/21

“Today’s USDA Prospective Plantings report is the first survey-based estimates of North Carolina farmers’ planting intentions for 2021,” said Dee Webb, North Carolina State Statistician. “The March Agricultural Survey conducted during the first two weeks of March provides 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 900,000 acres in 2021, down 10% from 2020. 
• Cotton growers intend to plant 410,000 acres in 2021, up 14% from last year. 
• Flue-cured tobacco growers expect to harvest 102,000 acres in 2021, unchanged from 2020. 
• Soybean plantings, expected to total 1,650 acres in 2021, up 3% from 2020. 
• Peanut growers intend to plant 110,000 acres in 2021, up 2% from 2020. 
• Winter wheat plantings totaled 450,000 acres unchanged from last year.

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