CHICAGO, Feb 7 (Reuters) - U.S. farmers are expected to plant the most acres to corn this spring since 1944, while soybean seedings are expected to expand slightly in the world's largest grower of both crops.
A Reuters poll of 24 analysts showed the average estimate for 2012 corn plantings at 94.2 million acres, more than 2 million acres above the 2011 total of 91.9 million. For soybeans, the average estimate was for 75.3 million acres, up from 75.0 million planted to soy in 2011.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is scheduled to release its first official forecasts of U.S. 2012 corn and soybean seeding intentions in its "Prospective Plantings" report on March 30. The agency will release its 10-year "baseline" agricultural projections on Feb. 13.
A Reuters poll of 24 analysts showed the average estimate for 2012 corn plantings at 94.2 million acres, more than 2 million acres above the 2011 total of 91.9 million. For soybeans, the average estimate was for 75.3 million acres, up from 75.0 million planted to soy in 2011.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is scheduled to release its first official forecasts of U.S. 2012 corn and soybean seeding intentions in its "Prospective Plantings" report on March 30. The agency will release its 10-year "baseline" agricultural projections on Feb. 13.
