Farmers were not able to plant crops on more than 19.4 million acres in 2019, according to certified acreage data released by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Not surprisingly, more than 73 percent of the prevented plant acres were in 12 Midwestern states, where heavy rainfall and flooding this year has prevented many producers from planting mostly corn, soybeans and wheat.
“Agricultural producers across the country are facing significant challenges and tough decisions on their farms and ranches,” USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey said. “We know these are challenging times for farmers, and we have worked to improve flexibility of our programs to assist producers prevented from planting.”
The data is also utilized by the National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) in putting their Crop Production report together, relative to acreage. While NASS said in issuing their Crop Production report Monday, the data was not likely complete. “It is also important to note that data are reported to FSA over an extended period of time, with varying due dates across the country, and is historically incomplete in early August,” NASS said. “NASS has carefully analyzed these data for many years and has determined they normally don’t become nearly complete until September for cotton and October for corn, soybeans, and sorghum.”
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