USDA: Minnesota farmers decrease corn acreage in 2018

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Prospective Plantings Report forecasts a 7-percent decrease in Minnesota corn acres planted in 2018. Nationally, corn acres are expected to decrease 2 percent. Of the 48 estimating states, 33 are forecasted to decrease or maintain corn acreage this spring.

In comparison, soybean acres are forecasted to decrease 2 percent this year in Minnesota. Nationally, a 1-percent drop in planted acres is expected. Wheat acres planted are expected to increase 38 percent in Minnesota and 3 percent nationally.

Struggling commodity prices have led to year-over-year decreases in corn acres planted in Minnesota in recent years. In 2016, 8.45 million acres of corn were planted, followed by 8.05 million in 2017. Minnesota farmers are reporting they will plant approximately 7.5 million acres of corn this spring.

Nationally, 88 million acres of corn are forecasted to be planted in 2018. If realized, the acreage will be the lowest amount since 2015.

The below USDA chart shows the relationship in acres planted between corn and soybean since 1998:

For the full report, visit here: https://release.nass.usda.gov/reports/pspl0318.pdf