The planting season is coming to a close for National Corn Growers Association members. More than 90 percent of the crop has been planted and 66 percent of the crop has emerged according to the latest numbers released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Corn growers are projected to harvest more than 10.5 billion bushels this year, satisfying all of its markets: livestock, exports and food, seed and industrial.

Planting Season Coming to a Close, NCGA Notes (5-23-06)

National Corn Growers Association members and corn producers across the country are finishing planting the crop, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The agency released its Crop Progress report May 22, reporting that 92 percent of the corn crop has been planted in the top 18 corn-producing states and 66 percent of the crop has emerged.

Last year at this time, farmers had planted 94 percent of the corn crop. The five-year average for corn planted at this time is 87 percent. The emergence rate is ahead of last year’s rate of 63 percent. The five-year average is 60 percent.

Corn growers are expected to plant 78 million acres this year, down from 2005’s 81 million acres. USDA is projecting farmers will harvest 10.55 billion bushels this fall, slightly down from last year’s 11.112 billion bushels, which was the second-largest harvest on record.

The livestock industry consumed more than 6 billion bushels in 2005; exports accounted for 1.85 billion bushels; and food, seed and industrial use bought 2.96 billion bushels. The livestock and export markets are projected to remain flat, while industrial use is expected to jump because of increased ethanol production.

“If realized, the 10.55 billion bushels of corn will be more than enough corn to satisfy all of the corn growers’ markets,” said NCGA President Gerald Tumbleson. “With a carryover of more than 2.4 billion bushels from 2005, Americans can be assured there will not be a shortage of corn for all of our markets in 2006 and in the future.”

Part of the reason for the decline in acreage—and as a result, total bushels—is an increase in higher input costs for farmers. Natural gas is used in the production of anhydrous ammonia, which is the main source of nitrogen for corn production. Natural gas prices have increased more than 20 percent for some farmers from 2005 to this year.

The report also noted the corn crop’s condition for the first time in 2006. Ninety-five percent of the crop is rated as fair to excellent, with 9 percent rated as “Excellent,” 57 percent rated as “Good” and 29 percent rated as “Fair.” Only 1 percent of the crop was rated as “Very Poor” and 4 percent as “Poor.” At this time in 2005, 93 percent of the crop was rated as Good to Excellent.

To access the report, click here.