ne-agri-facts NEBRASKA AGRI-FACTS Issued Twice Monthly by: NEBRASKA Agricultural Statistics Service P.O. Box 81069 Location: 273 Federal Bldg Lincoln, NE 68501 Phone: (402) 437-5541 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Nebraska Department of Agriculture USDA,National Ag Statistics Service Merlyn Carlson, Director William G. Hamlin, State Statistician ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue 07/2001 Released: 04/05/2001 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear producers and other data users: Information contained herein is the result of mail, phone and personal interview surveys conducted during the past few weeks. Special recognition and appreciation are extended to all producers and agribusinesses who provided data making these reports possible. State Statistician MARCH PROSPECTIVE PLANTINGS As of March 1, Nebraska corn growers expect to plant 8.3 million acres in 2001, down 2% from last year and 3% below 1999. If realized, this would be the smallest acreage planted since 1995. Soybean producers expect to plant a record high 4.85 million acres, 4% over last year. Nebraska soybean producers will have increased the amount of acreage devoted to soybeans 84% since 1992, and in eight of the last nine years. Last fall winter wheat was sown on 1.8 million acres, up 3% from a year earlier while down 5% from 1999. Sorghum growers expect to plant 650,000 acres for all purposes, up 8% from last year and 18% more than 1999. Hay acreage for harvest, at 3.2 million acres, would be up 5% from last year. Oat planting intentions at 145,000 acres are up 12% from 2000. Oat acreage to be harvested for grain is forecast at 80,000, 78% more than last year's drought reduced harvest. Dry edible bean producers intend to plant 140,000 acres, down 15% from 2000. Sugar beet plantings of 59,000 acres would be 25% less than 2000. Sunflower planting intentions of 105,000 acres were up 17%. PLANTED ACREAGE AND INTENTIONS COMPARATIVE DATA -- NEBRASKA AND UNITED STATES NEBRASKA UNITED STATES Inten- 2001 Inten- 2001 CROP tions % of tions % of 1999 2000 2001 2000 1999 2000 2001 2000 1,000 acres % 1,000 acres % Corn 1/ 8,600 8,500 8,300 98 77,386 79,545 76,693 96 Soybeans 4,300 4,650 4,850 104 73,730 74,496 76,657 103 Sorghum 1/ 550 600 650 108 9,288 9,195 9,368 102 Oats 1/ 135 130 145 112 4,673 4,477 4,425 99 Oats - Grain 75 45 80 178 2,453 2,324 2,204 95 Barley 5 10 5 50 5,194 5,844 5,321 91 Dry Beans 210 165 140 85 2,023.0 1,756.2 1,452.9 83 Sugar Beets 72.7 78.2 59.0 75 1,560.6 1,564.2 1,432.5 92 All Hay 2/ 3,200 3,050 3,200 105 63,220 59,854 63,771 107 All Wheat 1,900 1,750 1,800 103 62,714 62,529 60,299 96 Winter Wheat 1,900 1,750 1,800 103 43,331 43,348 41,336 95 Sunflower-Oil 49 55 65 118 2,757 2,219 2,109 95 Sunflower-Non-oil 52 35 40 114 796 573 623 109 Sunflower-All 101 90 105 117 3,553 2,792 2,732 98 1/ Grown for all purposes. 2/ Acres for harvest. GRAIN STOCKS Holdings of corn stored in all Nebraska locations on March 1, 2001, totaled 687 million bushels, slightly below a year ago and 12% below the 1999 holdings. Soybeans in all locations totaled 93.7 bushels, the highest total storage ever on March 1, topping last year's high by 3% and 1999 by 13%. Wheat stocks totaled 54.9 million bushels, down 7% from a year ago and even with 1999 levels. U.S. corn stocks in all positions on March 1, 2001, totaled 6.04 billion bushels, up 8% from March 1, 2000 and the highest level since 1987. Soybeans stored in all positions on March 1, 2001, totaled 1.40 billion bushels, up 1% from March 1, 2000. All wheat stored in all positions on March 1, 2001, totaled 1.34 billion bushels, down 5% from a year ago. STOCKS OF GRAIN Grain NEBRASKA UNITED STATES and Mar 1, Mar 1, Mar 1, 2001 Mar 1, Mar 1, Mar 1, 2001 Position 1999 2000 2001 2000 1999 2000 2001 2000 Thousand bushels Pct. Thousand bushels Pct. Corn On Frm 520,000 425,000 410,000 96 3,570,000 3,300,000 3,600,000 109 Off Frm 1/261,378 264,660 276,714 105 2,128,428 2,301,895 2,437,353 106 Total 781,378 689,660 686,714 100 5,698,428 5,601,895 6,037,353 108 All Wheat On Frm 12,000 11,000 7,200 65 471,220 424,680 389,750 92 Off Frm 1/ 42,880 48,336 47,687 99 979,191 991,841 949,824 96 Total 54,880 59,336 54,887 93 1,450,411 1,416,521 1,339,574 95 Soybeans On Frm 44,000 42,000 34,000 81 815,000 730,000 780,000 107 Off Frm 1/ 39,217 48,684 59,677 123 642,338 665,986 624,821 94 Total 83,217 90,684 93,677 103 1,457,338 1,395,986 1,404,821 101 Sorghum On Frm 11,000 9,500 7,900 83 60,900 51,700 40,100 78 Off Frm 1/ 25,836 21,846 20,313 93 161,536 173,932 125,211 72 Total 36,836 31,346 28,213 90 222,436 225,632 165,311 73 Oats On Frm 1,200 1,800 800 44 61,700 53,300 55,800 105 Off Frm 1/ 2/ 2/ 2/ --- 50,850 48,500 46,319 96 Total 2/ 2/ 2/ --- 112,550 101,800 102,119 100 1/ Includes stocks at mills, elevators, warehouses, terminals, and processors. 2/ Not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations. AVERAGE PRICES RECEIVED BY FARMERS NEBRASKA UNITED STATES COMMODITY Unit Mar. Feb. Mar. Mar. Feb. Mar. 2000 2001 15 2000 2001 15 % of Parity 1/ 1/ 2001 1/ 1/ 2001 ParityPrice* Wheat Bu. $ 2.26 $ 2.84 $ 2.97 $ 2.59 $ 2.83 $ 2.89 30 $ 9.69 Corn Bu. 1.99 1.95 1.92 2.03 1.96 1.91 29 6.61 Oats Bu. 1.48 1.54 1.50 1.28 1.27 1.25 33 3.78 Grain Sorghum Cwt. 3.23 3.42 3.35 3.21 3.48 3.42 30 11.30 Soybeans Bu. 4.79 4.29 4.20 4.91 4.46 4.29 30 14.40 Hay, All, Baled Ton 40.00 80.00 84.00 74.80 86.80 87.20 --- --- Alfalfa, Baled Ton 41.00 84.00 88.00 77.70 94.20 93.70 --- --- Other, Baled Ton 36.00 69.00 74.00 68.90 71.20 71.30 --- --- Dry Edible Beans Cwt. 15.10 14.70 14.40 14.50 15.20 14.80 31 48.00 Hogs Cwt. 43.60 41.40 46.70 41.70 39.10 45.10 44 103.00 Barrows & Gilts Cwt. 43.70 41.60 47.00 42.00 39.50 45.70 --- --- Sows Cwt. 35.80 30.50 34.20 34.30 30.70 34.30 --- --- Beef CattleCwt. 70.80 75.20 77.10 69.80 74.80 77.00 48 159.00 Steers & Heifers Cwt. 71.80 76.10 78.10 73.40 78.90 81.80 --- --- Cows Cwt. 39.40 44.40 45.00 39.00 42.70 43.20 --- --- Calves Cwt. 107.00 105.00 109.00 109.00 109.00 111.00 53 209.00 Sheep Cwt. 41.00 40.60 NA 38.80 43.60 NA --- 72.70 Lambs Cwt. 85.00 68.70 NA 80.20 80.10 NA --- 174.00 1/ Entire month average except hay. *Parity price based on data for March2001. NA = Not Available HOGS AND PIGS Nebraska pork producers had an estimated 2.95 million hogs and pigs on hand March 1, 2001. This number was down 2% from a year earlier and was 11% below two years ago. Hogs and pigs kept for breeding were 5% below a year ago and 14% less than two years ago while market hogs were 1% below last year and 10% below March 1, 1999. Inventory of all hogs and pigs in the United States was estimated at 58.8 million head on March 1, 2001. This was 2% above March 2000 but 1% below the December 1, 2000 inventory. Breeding hog inventory, at 6.24 million head, was up 1% from March 1, 2000 but down slightly from December 1, 2000. Market hogs were 2% above last year but 1% below last quarter. HOGS AND PIGS: INVENTORY, MARCH 1; SOWS FARROWING AND PIG CROP, 2000-2001 NEBRASKA 17 STATES UNITED STATES 2001 2001 2001 Item as as as % of % of % of 2000 2001 2000 2000 2001 2000 2000 2001 2000 On Farms - Mar. 1 (000) head % (000) head % (000) head % All hogs & pigs 3,000 2,950 98 53,970 54,890 102 57,782 58,754 102 For breeding 380 360 95 5,710 5,755 101 6,190 6,244 101 Market 2,620 2,590 99 48,260 49,135 102 51,593 52,510 102 Market hogs & pigs by weight groups: Under 60 pounds 1,030 1,020 99 18,055 18,390 102 19,217 19,594 102 60-119 pounds 630 650 103 11,585 11,865 102 12,409 12,704 102 120-179 pounds 550 520 95 9,845 10,095 103 10,552 10,808 102 180 pounds plus 410 400 98 8,775 8,785 100 9,414 9,405 100 Sows Farrowed: Dec. 1/-Feb. 160 145 91 2,586 2,627 102 2,798 2,836 101 Mar.-May 155 *155 100 2,666 *2,699 101 2,885 *2,907 101 Jun.-Aug. 160 *155 97 2,673 *2,708 101 2,889 *2,917 101 Sep.-Nov. 150 --- --- 2,646 --- --- 2,848 --- --- TOTAL 625 --- --- 10,571 --- --- 11,420 --- --- Pig Crop: Dec. 1/-Feb. 1,400 1,283 92 22,699 23,102 102 24,522 24,896 102 Mar.-May 1,372 --- --- 23,646 --- --- 25,565 --- --- Jun.-Aug. 1,440 --- --- 23,655 --- --- 25,548 --- --- Sep.-Nov. 1,313 --- --- 23,430 --- --- 25,208 --- --- TOTAL PIG CROP 5,525 --- --- 93,430 --- --- 100,843 --- --- 1/ December preceding year. * Intentions. 17 States: AR, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, NC, OH, OK, PA, SD, TX, WI. MARCH 1 HOG REPORT HIGHLIGHTS * U.S. inventory up 2% from March 2000. Expectations of private forecasters averaged 103% of the previous year with a range of 100% to 103.7%. * Market hogs were up 2% from a year earlier. Private forecasters' expectations ranged from 100% to 104% with an average of 103%. * Breeding herd was up 1% from a year earlier. Expectations of private forecasters ranged from 99.5% to 103% with an average of 101%. * U.S. December-February pig crop was up 2% from a year earlier. Analysts expected the pig crop to be 104% of previous year; estimates ranged from 102% to 105%. * March-May intentions are up 1% from actual farrowings a year earlier. June-August intentions are up 1% from the previous years actual farrowings. * Commercial hog slaughter during December-February at 24.3 million head was 3% below a year earlier. Live hog imports were 1.16 million head up 14% from a year earlier. Total exports decreased to 7,000 head, compared to 28,000 a year ago. POULTRY HIGHLIGHTS - FEBRUARY 2001 Item 2000 2001 as % of 2000 Millions Percent No. of Layers NEBRASKA 11.8 11.7 99 30 States 310.0 314.5 101 U.S. 329.8 335.5 102 Eggs Produced NEBRASKA 227 231 102 30 States 6,238 6,110 98 U.S. 6,648 6,519 98 Chickens, U.S. Hatched, February Egg-type 35.5 38.2 108 Broiler 701.0 670.5 96 Hatched thru February Egg-type 69.6 76.2 109 Broiler 1,450.3 1,404.4 97 COMMERCIAL LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER February 2001 output and changes from last year and last month are shown below. February 2000 contained 21 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays. February 2001 contained 20 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays. Percent of Item Total 1/ Feb. Jan. (1,000) 2000 2001 NEBRASKA Cattle, head 551.1 90 89 Hogs, head 524.3 106 92 Sheep & Lambs, head 2/ 2/ 2/ Red Meat, mil. lbs. 518.1 91 89 UNITED STATES Cattle, head 2,580.0 88 86 Calves, head 78.8 83 86 Hogs, head 7,603.5 94 88 Sheep & Lambs, head 245.3 84 91 Red Meat, mil, lbs. 3,401.7 90 86 1/ Excludes animals slaughtered on farms. 2/ Data included in U.S. total to avoid disclosure of individual operations. U.S. COLD STORAGE HIGHLIGHTS Frozen food stocks in refrigerated warehouses on February 28, 2001, were greater than year earlier levels for fruit and orange juice. Total red meat supplies in freezers were 6 percent below both January 2001 and February 2000. Frozen pork stocks were slightly below last month and were 10 percent below last year. Total frozen poultry supplies on February 28, 2001, were down 3 percent from last month and were 11 percent below last year's level. Stocks on February 28 for selected items and changes from last year and last month follow: Percent of Commodity Stocks Feb. Jan. 1,000 lbs. 2000 2001 Total red meats 858,039 94 94 Beef 362,774 98 98 Pork 470,778 90 100 Poultry 1,041,121 89 97 Turkey 330,481 93 114 Chicken 706,241 87 90 WOOL PRODUCTION AND VALUE SHEEP WEIGHT PRICE STATE and LAMBS PER PRODUCTION PER VALUE SHORN 1/ FLEECE POUND NEBRASKA 1,000 head Pounds 1,000 pounds Dollars 1,000 dollars 1998 91 7.3 660 .41 271 1999 89 7.6 675 .24 162 2000 95 7.2 685 .18 123 UNITED STATES 1998 6,428 7.7 49,255 .60 29,415 1999 6,158 7.6 46,592 .38 17,860 2000 6,140 7.6 46,446 .33 15,377 1/ Includes shearing at commercial feeding yards. ======================================================================= Please access the Nebraska NASS website for a .PDF copy of this report. http://www.agr.state.ne.us./agstats/index.htm