Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 1/12/22

“The year of 2021 closed with record yields for corn and peanuts along with soybeans ending tied with the previous record set in 2017. In a year of very challenging times for North Carolina farmers it is great to see rewards for the farmers’ hard work,” said Dee Webb, North Carolina State Statistician. “As always, we want to thank them again for taking the time to complete USDA/NASS surveys throughout the year. It is vital during these times that quality and reliable agricultural data is available to assist NC farmers, agricultural organizations, and industry experts with their decision making and forecasts.

Corn for Grain
• North Carolina farmers harvested 905,000 acres of corn for grain in 2021, up 35,000 acres from 2020.

• Yield averaged 149 bushels per acre, up 36 bushels from the 113 bushels per acre averaged in 2020.

• Production at 134.8 million bushels was 27% higher than the 2020 total of 160 million bushels.

Cotton

• Cotton acres harvested in 2021 totaled 365,000, up 35,000 acres from the 330,000 harvested in 2020.

• Yield averaged 999 pounds per acre, up 240 pounds per acre from last year.

• Production at 760,000 bales was up 46% from the 522,000 bales produced in 2020.

Peanuts

• North Carolina farmers harvested 114,000 acres of peanuts in 2021, 9,000 acres higher than the 105,000 acres harvested in 2020.

• Yield per acre at 4,350 pounds was up 450 pounds from the 2020 estimate.

• Production at 496 million pounds was up 21% from 410 million pounds of peanuts produced in 2020.

Soybeans

• Soybean acres harvested in 2021 totaled 1.64 million. This was up 70,000 acres from the 1.57 million acres harvested in 2020. • Yield averaged 40 bushels per acre. Up 2 bushels per acre from the 2020 average.

• Production totaled 66 million bushels, up 10% from last year’s production of 60 million bushels.

Burley Tobacco

• North Carolina farmers harvested 250 acres of burley tobacco in 2021, up 60 acres from last year.

• Yield averaged 1,600 pounds per acre, down from the 1,700 pounds per acre averaged in 2020

• Production at 400,000 pounds was down 24% from last year’s production at 527,000 pounds.

Flue-cured Tobacco

• North Carolina farmers harvested 120,000 acres of flue-cured tobacco in 2021, up 21,000 acres from last year.

• Yield averaged 2,100 pounds per acre, up from the 1,800 pounds per acre averaged in 2020.

• Production at 252 million pounds up 41% from last year’s production at 178 million pounds.

For the full report, click here.