Peanut Acreage Down 50 Percent Virginia’s Corn and Soybean Acreage Up

Date Published: 2009-07-01 06:52:28
By: Elaine J. Lidholm

 

 

Richmond, June 30, 2009 - The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced the results of a survey conducted in early June by the Virginia Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Virginia's farmers set a record low for peanut planted at 12,000 acres. This contrast with Virginia's record high planted peanut set in 1948 at 166,000 acres.

 

In 2009, peanut growers in the Commonwealth planted 12,000 acres, down 50 percent from last year. Peanut planting was on schedule despite some early delays due to wet field conditions in early May. The crop rates are mostly all good to excellent. Timely rains and showers during June increased optimism for a very good crop.

 

Virginia corn producers reported that planting was completed at 480,000 acres, up 10,000 acres from last year. Corn producers expect to harvest 355,000 acres for grain in 2009, which is 15,000 more acres when compared to last year.

 

Soybean producers in Virginia planted 600,000 acres, up three percent from last year. As of June 28, 83 percent of Virginia's soybean crop was planted with the majority of the crop in good to excellent condition.

 

Virginia farmers planted 65,000 acres of cotton this year, no change from March's intention. As of June 28, 25 percent of Virginia's cotton was squaring with the majority of cotton in good condition.

 

Flue-cured tobacco acreage is down 1,000 to 16,000 acres when compared to 2008. Burley producers plan to harvest 2,200 acres, up 200 acres from a year ago. Seven hundred and fifty acres is dedicated to fire-cured tobacco, up 250 acres from 2008.

 

Barley seeded acreage increased almost five percent from last year and is estimated at 66,000 acres. Barley producers anticipate harvesting 42,000 acres for grain, which is up 6,000 acres from last year. Eleven thousand acres of oats were planted in Virginia, down 1,000 acres from last year. Slightly more than 36 percent of the planted oats will be harvested for grain.

 

Alfalfa hay will be made on 100,000 acres, up 10,000 acres when compared to 2008.

 

Winter wheat acres seeded last fall for this season were 270,000 acres, which is a 13 percent decrease from 2008. Wheat producers are expecting to harvest 240,000 acres for grain, which is 40,000 acres less than a year ago.

 

Find agricultural statistics for your county, state, and the nation at www.nass.usda.gov .

Section: Farming,