Farmers report increased cotton planting intentions in 2011

With commodity prices significantly higher than last spring, U.S. farmers plan to plant 1.59 million (15 percent) more cotton acres than last year according to theProspective Plantings report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). In all, farmers reported intentions of planting 323.8 million acres across the 21 major crops surveyed for this report, a 7.09 million (2.2 percent) increase from 2010 but still 1.21 million acres below the 2008 total.

 “Despite increased plantings for most major field crops as reported in today’s Prospective Plantings report, the March 1 Grain Stocks report indicates continued strong demand and usage for these commodities. This suggests the current tight supply situation will continue into 2011 and 2012,” said USDA Chief Economist, Joseph Glauber.

The largest decrease in planted acreage is expected in Texas, down 150,000 acres due to an increase in cotton acreage.

Cotton acreage increases are expected in every state, for a total of 12.6 million acres, 15 percent above last year. The largest increase, at 548,000 acres, is expected in Texas. Acreage increases of more than 100,000 acres are expected in North Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi.