Arkansas Row Crop Farmers Poised For Record 2014

Agricultural experts said a record number of plantings for Arkansas’ major crops is likely in 2014 – a trend that could lead to another record-setting year for farming production in state.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service issued its “Prospective Plantings” report on Monday (March 31). The report indicated that in Arkansas:

• Cotton acres are expected to increase to 340,000 acres;
• Soybean acres are expected to rise to 3.35 million acres;
• Rice acres are expected to increase to 1.52 million acres;
• Peanut plantings are expected to stay the same; and
• Corn plantings will decline to an estimated 600,000 acres

“Today’s report confirms what we were gathering all winter at our county meetings” with Arkansas crop producers, said Scott Stiles, extension economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Lower corn prices are driving the drop-off in plantings, say agri experts, but that will only lead to a likely shift in crop planting and production.

Tom Barber, a former cotton specialist with the agriculture division, said lower prices for corn may be sending some acres back to cotton.

“The new crop prices are still around 80 cents,” Barber said. “I think the difference will be in the corn prices – what it is now versus what it was. A lot of these corn acres are going back to cotton.”

Soybeans, a long-time crop leader for Arkansas agriculture, is likely to remain king in 2014.

In 2013, Arkansas soybean producers planted 3.26 million acres. Estimates for 2014 are that planted soybean acreage will be between 3.3 and 3.4 million acres.

“From discussion with many growers during the winter meeting season, many indicated that they would increase soybean and rice acreage, and decrease corn acreage,” said Jeremy Ross, a soybean specialist with the UA Division of Agriculture. “However, this is all depending on the weather conditions in the next four weeks.  If we see a wet weather pattern, and corn planting is delayed, we may see a few more soybean acres.”

Rice will also benefit from the decline in corn plantings and if weather conditions remain favorable, the report and experts suggested.

Last year, farmers saw record yields in most major crops in Arkansas.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the final production estimates for Arkansas’ state average yields in 2013 showed:

• Corn at 187 bushels per acre, a new record;
• Sorghum at 102 bushels per acre, a new record;
• Rice in at 168 bushels per acre, a new record;
• Soybeans at 43.5 bushels an acre is a new record; and
• Cotton at 1,149 pounds per acre is also a new record.

2013 was the second straight year for record state average yields in corn, rice and soybeans for Arkansas.