Corn Acreage Largest
Since ‘85, Says USDA

WASHINGTON —(AP)— The 80.4 million acres planted in corn this year is the largest since 1985, the Agriculture Department reported late last week. It's up 13 percent from last year.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service said growers expect to harvest 74.1 million acres for grain, also the largest since 1985.

Corn stocks on June 1 totaled 1.72 billion bushels, 50 percent below a year earlier, the department said.

Planting was delayed by a wet, cool spring and farmers indicated that 91 percent of intended acreage has been planted, down from 96 percent at the same time a year ago.

Ohio was the only state to show a decline in corn acreage, down five percent in a shift to other commodities such as soybeans. Minnesota had the biggest increase in corn, up eight percent.

The department also reported:

— Soybean growers have planted, or intend to plant, 63.9 million acres, up two percent from last year. Soybeans in storage June 1 totaled 623 million bushels, 21 percent below a year ago.

— Spring wheat planted for 1996 is at 20 million acres, the largest since 1936. Oldcrop wheat in storage totaled 375 million bushels, down 26 percent from 1995 and the lowest since 1973.

— Cotton plantings for 1996 are expected to total 14.4 million acres, 15 percent less than last year, but five percent above 1994.