United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Crop News Release In Cooperation with the Georgia Department of Agriculture Georgia Field Office 355 East Hancock Avenue, Suite 320 Athens, GA 30601 (706) 546-2236 www.nass.usda.gov March 30, 2012 Media Contact: Douglas G. Kleweno nass-ga@nass.usda.gov 2012 PROSPECTIVE PLANTINGS IN GEORGIA Corn Plantings are expected to total 340,000 acres in 2012; down 1% from 2011. Cotton Growers intend to plant 1,400,000 acres in 2012; down 12% from 2011. Hay All hay acres expected to be harvested for hay in 2012 estimated at 670,000; up 14% from 2011. Oats Growers intend to plant 75,000 acres in 2012; up 25% from 2011. Peanuts Growers intend to plant 570,000 acres; up 20% from 2011. Sorghum Growers expect to plant 60,000 acres in 2012; up 20% from 2011. Soybean Plantings are expected to total 150,000 acres in 2012; down 3% from 2011. Flue-cured tobacco Growers expect to harvest 10,000 acres in 2012; down 15% from 2011. Winter Wheat Plantings totaled 270,000 acres in 2012; up 8% from 2011. Georgia and United States 2011-2012 Prospective Plantings Georgia United States Crop 2011 2012 % Change 2011 2012 % Change (1,000 Acres) +/- (1,000 Acres) +/- Corn 345 340 -1 91,921 95,864 +4 Cotton, All Hay1 1,600.0 1400.0 -12 14,732.4 13,155.0 -11 590 670 +14 55,633 57,348 +3 Oats 60 75 +25 2,496 2,863 +15 Peanuts 475.0 570.0 +20 1,140.6 1,422.0 +25 Sorghum 50 60 +20 5,481 5,950 +9 Soybeans 155 150 -3 74,976 73,902 -1 Tobacco, Flue-cured1 11.7 10.0 -15 206.7 194.5 -6 Wheat, Winter 250 270 +8 40,646 41,709 +3 1 Intended area harvested in 2012 as indicated by reports from farmers. Source: USDA-NASS, Prospective Plantings, March 30, 2012. All reports are available, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. *Intentions Georgia Corn Plantings 600 (Thousand Acres) 510 500 400 340 335 420 370 345 340 300 270 280 295 200 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012* Georgia Cotton Plantings 1800 (Thousand Acres) 1600 1600 1400 1300 1200 1290 1220 1400 1330 1000 1030 1000 940 1400 800 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012* Georgia Peanut Plantings (Thousand Acres) 800 755 690 700 620 600 545 500 580 530 565 570 510 475 400 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012* Georgia Soybean Plantings (Thousand Acres) 500 470 430 400 295 300 280 270 200 190 180 155 155 150 100 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012*