Corn growers intend to plant 81.4 million acres of corn for all purposes in 1997, up 2 percent from last year and 14 percent above 1995. If these intentions materialize, this would be the largest planted acreage since 1985. Expected acreages are up in most corn belt States with the exception of Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota.

Soybeans growers intend to plant 68.8 million acres for 1997, up 7 percent from 1996 and 10 percent above 1995. If realized, this acreage would be the highest since 1980. All but 3 of the 29 soybean growing States anticipate an increase in soybean acres from last year.

Sorghum plantings are expected to total 10.9 million acres, down 18 percent from last year, but 15 percent above the 1995 total. Most major producing States show a decline from last year.

All wheat planted acres for 1997 are expected to total 69.2 million acres, down 9 percent from last year, but up slightly from 1995 plantings.

Durum wheat growers intend to plant 3.19 million acres for 1997, down 12 percent from 1996. North Dakota, the major durum wheat State intends to plant 13 percent less acres.

Other spring wheat plantings are expected to total 17.8 million acres for 1997, down 11 percent from 1996, but up 4 percent from 1995. Only Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming intend to plant larger acreages than last year.

All cotton plantings for 1997 are expected to total 14.5 million acres, 1 percent below 1996 and 14 percent less than the 1995 acreage. The Delta region and the Western States expect to decrease Upland cotton acreage by 6 percent, but the Southeast region shows a 2 percent increase. Texas Upland acreage is 4 percent above last year. Acreage of American-Pima cotton is 5 percent below last year's level.

March 31, 1997

NASS, USDA

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