USDA to Assess Impact of Midwest Flooding on 2008 Crop Acreage

WASHINGTON. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is taking several steps to assess the impact on the 2008 crop acreage from the impact of the extraordinary rainfall and flooding in the Midwest.

NASS will release the 2008 Acreage report as scheduled on June 30 at 8:30 a.m. EDT. However, NASS collected most of the acreage data during the first two weeks of June, before the majority of the flooding occurred.

In the Acreage report, NASS will use standard procedures to estimate planted area. But in an effort to more accurately determine how much of the planted area will actually be harvested for grain, NASS will re-interview producers during the week of June 23 in affected areas of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. This will provide additional information about producers’ harvesting intentions for corn, soybeans and sorghum.

However, because some producers might be difficult to contact or still could be assessing their options, NASS will conduct a more extensive update of planted and harvested acreage in July in the impacted areas. This information along with data normally collected from across the country during this time will be reflected in the August 12 Crop Production report.

For more information about USDA’s response and efforts in the Midwest, go to www.usda.gov/safety .