oh-press-release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 03/31/10
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: JAMES E. RAMEY
REYNOLDSBURG, OH (614) 728-2100

Based on a March 1 prospective plantings survey, Ohio farmers intend to
increase the amount of corn, soybean and hay acreage in 2010 while
decreasing the winter wheat, oats, and tobacco acreage. 

Ohio corn producers intend to plant 3.70 million acres this spring, up
from 3.35 million acres last year. Ohio soybean acreage is forecast at
4.60 million acres for 2010, up 50,000 acres from last year. 

Winter wheat acreage for 2010 is estimated at 800,000 acres, 210,000
acres less than was seeded the previous year. The State's oat acreage
decreased 5,000 acres from last year to 60,000 acres. 

Ohio hay producers expect to harvest a total of 1.15 million acres, up
11 percent from the previous year. This includes alfalfa, grain, and all
other types of hay. Burley tobacco acreage is forecast at 2,900 acres in
2010, down 500 acres from 2009. 

U.S. Corn growers intend to plant 88.8 million acres of corn for all
purposes in 2010, up 3 percent from both last year and 2008. Expected
acreage is up in many States due to reduced winter wheat acreage and
expectations of improved net returns. Acreage increases of 300,000 or
more are expected in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Ohio. The largest
decreases are expected in Iowa, down 200,000 acres, and Texas, down
150,000 acres. 

U. S. Soybean producers intend to plant 78.1 million acres in 2010, up
less than 1 percent from last year. If realized, the United States
planted area will be the largest on record. Acreage increases of 100,000
or more are expected in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota,
and South Dakota. The largest decreases are expected in Georgia and
North Carolina, both 150,000 acres less than 2009. If intentions are
realized, the planted acreage in Kansas, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania
will be the largest on record. 

U.S. All wheat planted area is estimated at 53.8 million acres, down 9
percent from 2009. The 2010 winter wheat planted area, at 37.7 million
acres, is 13 percent below last year but up 2 percent from the previous
estimate. Of this total, about 28.3 million acres are Hard Red Winter,
6.0 million acres are Soft Red Winter, and 3.4 million acres are White
Winter. Area planted to other spring wheat for 2010 is estimated at 13.9
million acres, up 5 percent from 2009. Of this total, about 13.3 million
acres are Hard Red Spring wheat. Durum planted area for 2010 is
estimated at 2.22 million acres, down 13 percent from the previous year.