N.D. prospective planting

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota spring wheat producers intend to plant 6.20 million acres, up 8 percent from 2012, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Dakota Field Office. Area planted to Durum wheat is expected to total 1.10 million acres, down 18 percent from last year. Winter wheat acres seeded last fall totaled 350,000 acres, down 53 percent from a year earlier.

Oat intentions are estimated at 260,000 acres, up 30 percent from last year. Barley producers intend to plant 950,000 acres, down 10 percent from last year.

Corn growers in North Dakota intend to plant 4.10 million acres, up 14 percent from last year. If realized, this will be a record high. Soybean growers intend to plant 4.9 million acres, up 3 percent from last year. If realized this will be a record high.

Canola planting intentions are 1.23 million acres, down 16 percent from 2012. Flaxseed planted acreage is expected to total 250,000 acres, down 21 percent from the previous year.

Dry edible bean acreage intentions are estimated at 550,000 acres, down 21 percent from 2012. Dry edible peas are estimated at 320,000 acres up 36 percent from the previous year. Lentil intentions are estimated at 140,000 acres, down 12 percent from last year.

Oil sunflower planting intentions are 540,000 acres, down 30 percent from last year. Non-oil sunflower area is expected to total 96,000 acres, up 7 percent from last year.

Sugarbeet growers expect to plant 230,000 acres, up 4 percent from last year.

Farmers and ranchers intend to harvest 2.40 million acres of all hay, up 10 percent from 2012.

Estimates in this report are based on a survey conducted during the first two weeks of March.