USDA Revises Sunflower, Canola Acreage

WASHINGTON - Aug 11/11 - SNS -- Sunflower seedings in the United States ended up at 1.76 million acres, while 1.09 million acres of canola were planted, according to the USDA's latest crop production forecast.

Area planted to canola in 2011 is estimated at 1.09 million acres, down 4% from June and down 25% from last year. Area for harvest is forecast at 1.07 million acres, also down 4% from June. In North Dakota, planted area is estimated at 890,000 acres, down 5% from June and down 30% from 2010. Harvested area in North Dakota is forecast at 880,000 acres, also down 5% from June.

Area planted to sunflower in 2011 is estimated at 1.76 million acres and harvested area is forecast at 1.67 million acres. Planted area of oil type varieties, at 1.45 million acres, is down 6% from June and down 1% from last year. Harvested area of oil type varieties is forecast at 1.39 million acres, also down 6% from June. Planted area of non-oil type varieties, at 306,000 acres, is down 3% from June and down 37% from 2010. Harvested area of non-oil type varieties is forecast at 283,500 acres, down 3% from June.

In North Dakota, planted area of oil type varieties is estimated at 600,000 acres, down 90,000 acres from June. The forecast for harvested area of oil type varieties is also down 90,000 acres from June to 580,000 acres. Planted area of non-oil type varieties is estimated at 90,000 acres, down 10,000 acres from June. Harvested area of non-oil type varieties is also down 10,000 acres from June to 85,000 acres.