ILLINOIS AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE P.O. Box 19283 Springfield, IL 62794-9283 (217) 492-4295 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Garry Kepley or Rick Kestle - 800/622-9865 http://www.agr.state.il.us/agstats.htm June 30, 1998 SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service today released the USDA's June Acreage Report. State and national highlights of the report include: ILLINOIS Corn planted in Illinois in 1998 is estimated at 10.6 million acres, down 500 thousand from the March intentions and down 600 thousand acres from 1997. Corn planting was delayed until nearly the third week of April with only 30 percent planted across the state by May 3. Central areas of the state were the first to get any significant acreage planted and were nearing completion as many farmers in southern Illinois were just beginning in mid-May. Farmers in the southeast district were the worst hit and had only 78 percent of their crop planted by May 31. Excessive rains across the state caused widespread replanting and in some areas the crop was replanted more than once to get an acceptable stand. As of June 7, 13 percent of the corn acreage statewide had been replanted. The average height of corn on June 28 was 35 inches, compared to 32 inches a year earlier and the five-year average of 28 inches. Height in many fields is quite variable due to the excessive moisture causing ponding and nitrogen deficiencies in low areas. Acreage planted and to be planted to soybeans in 1998 is estimated at a record 10.7 million acres, seven percent more than the previous record of 10.0 million acres in 1997 and 300 thousand acres greater than expected in March. This also puts soybean planted acres greater than corn planted acres for the first time. Planting began in early May and progressed slowly throughout May. By the end of the first week in June, 85 percent of the crop was planted. Planting slowed during June due to wet weather, with 94 percent of the crop planted by June 28. The crop was rated seven percent excellent, 42 percent good, 34 percent fair, eleven percent poor, and six percent very poor on June 26. An estimated 1.25 million acres of winter wheat were seeded last fall, four percent more than the previous year. Farmers expect to harvest 1.2 million acres, 50,000 more than during 97. With the mild winter and wet spring, the crop progressed very quickly this year and as of June 28, 57 percent of the crop had been harvested. This compares to five percent last year and 18 percent for the five-year average. With all the moisture this spring there is concern for the affect scab will have on the yield. UNITED STATES Corn planted for all purposes is estimated at 80.8 million acres, up one percent from last year. This is the largest planted acreage since 1985. Growers expect to harvest 74.3 million acres for grain, up one percent from 1997. If realized, this will also be the largest harvested acreage since 1985. Ideal weather in the western Corn Belt helped planting finish one week ahead of the normal pace. The seven major States (IL, IN, IA, MN, NE, OH and WI) planted 52.3 million acres, a decrease of one percent from 1997. Illinois showed the largest decrease in plantings for the major States, with a five percent decline. Growers shifted from corn to other commodities such as soybeans. Ohio, Nebraska and Indiana also showed decreased plantings from 1997. Minnesota showed the largest increase in plantings for the major States, up four percent from a year ago. Iowa also showed increased plantings from 1997. Expected acreage harvested for grain, at 49.9 million, for the seven major States showed a one percent decrease from last year. Ohio, with a seven percent decline, showed the largest decrease in area harvested for grain for the major States. Iowa and Minnesota were the only two major states to show an increase in harvested acreage from last year. Outside the Corn Belt, corn plantings increased four percent over 1997. Increases of 400,000 acres in South Dakota and Texas were the largest for planted acreage. Louisiana showed a significant increase over last year as farmers shifted acres from soybeans and cotton. Corn plantings were also up in the Northern Plains as farmers planted less spring wheat. The 1998 planted area for soybeans is estimated at 72.7 million acres, three percent above last year's crop. Area for harvest is estimated at 71.7 million acres, up three percent from 1997. If realized, this will be the largest planted and harvested acreage on record. The last record was set in 1979. Estimated acreage increased in the Corn Belt, but generally declined across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States. Growers in the eight major producing states (AR, IL, IN, IA, MN, MO, NE and OH) expect to plant three percent more acres than last year. Leading the increase is Illinois, where farmers are planting 700,000 acres more than last year. Planted areas in Missouri and Nebraska are up 300,000 acres each while Indiana farmers expect to plant 250,000 more soybean acres. Minnesota farmers planted an additional 200,000 acres of soybeans, setting a new record for the state. Iowa and Ohio remain unchanged from the previous year, while Arkansas growers expect to plant 200,000 fewer acres than in 1997. Among the remaining producing States, North Dakota shows the largest increase, where growers intend to plant 500,000 more acres. Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin expect record large planted acreages. Winter wheat area for grain is now estimated at 40.8 million acres, up somewhat from the June 1 forecast, but three percent less than last year. Planted acres are 46.9 million acres also down three percent from last year but fractionally higher than the previously published level. Most of the harvested area increase is attributed to a one percent increase in the Soft Red Winter area. Missouri farmers seeded more ground than originally thought. White Winter area is essentially unchanged. Much more of the South Dakota Hard Red Winter crop survived the winter than in recent years. This larger anticipated grain area covered most of the crops in other Hard Red Winter States. CORN BY DISTRICTS, ILLINOIS 1997-98 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Corn :------------------------------------------------------------- District : Acres planted : Acres for grain :------------------------------:------------------------------ : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thousands : Northwest : 1,850 1,780 1,811 1,745 Northeast : 1,160 1,120 1,140 1,095 West : 1,110 1,040 1,098 1,015 Central : 1,510 1,440 1,503 1,420 East : 1,580 1,470 1,570 1,450 West Southwest : 1,440 1,350 1,425 1,330 East Southeast : 1,470 1,350 1,450 1,325 Southwest : 490 510 472 490 Southeast : 590 540 581 530 ILLINOIS : 11,200 10,600 11,050 10,400 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOYBEANS BY DISTRICTS, ILLINOIS 1997-98 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Soybeans :------------------------------------------------------------- District : Acres planted : Acres for grain :------------------------------:------------------------------ : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thousands : Northwest : 1,000 1,140 996 1,135 Northeast : 910 890 904 884 West : 930 1,000 926 996 Central : 1,330 1,420 1,324 1,415 East : 1,420 1,450 1,415 1,444 West Southwest : 1,360 1,420 1,352 1,412 East Southeast : 1,550 1,650 1,541 1,641 Southwest : 780 880 777 877 Southeast : 720 850 715 846 ILLINOIS : 10,000 10,700 9,950 10,650 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- WINTER WHEAT BY DISTRICTS, ILLINOIS 1997-98 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Winter Wheat :------------------------------------------------------------- District : Acres planted : Acres for grain :------------------------------:------------------------------ : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Thousands : Northwest : 25 23 23 21 Northeast : 31 31 29 29 West : 69 64 65 59 Central : 43 38 39 35 East : 27 24 24 22 West Southwest : 200 230 193 223 East Southeast : 260 270 252 260 Southwest : 350 370 338 358 Southeast : 195 200 187 193 ILLINOIS : 1,200 1,250 1,150 1,200 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ####