Agriculture Counts! by King Whetstone, Regional Director, USDA-NASS, Northeastern Regional Field Office
LANDMARK REPORT ON HEMP RELEASED
~ Value of hemp production totaled $824 million in 2021 ~
The results of the 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production Survey were released on February 17 in a National Hemp Report. The survey collected data for hemp grown in the open and hemp under protection.
In 2021, the value of hemp production in the open and under protection for the United States totaled $824 million.
Planted area for the Nation in 2021 for all utilizations totaled 54.2 thousand acres. The value of hemp production in the open for the United States totaled $712 million. Area harvested for all purposes in the open totaled 33.5 thousand acres.
In 2021, hemp growers used 15.6 million square feet under protection for production. The 2021 value of hemp production under protection in the United States totaled $112 million.
The release of this landmark report provides a needed benchmark about hemp production to assist producers, regulatory agencies, state governments, processors, and other key industry entities. Not only will these data guide USDA agencies in their support of domestic hemp production, the results can also help inform producers’ decisions about growing, harvesting, and selling hemp as well as the type of hemp they decide to produce. The survey results may also impact policy decisions about the hemp industry.
The 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production Survey collected information on the total planted and harvested area, yield, production, and value of hemp in the United States. By value, the top utilization for hemp grown in the open was floral at $623 million. The top utilization for hemp grown under protection was floral at $64.4 million.
As defined in the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill), the term “hemp” means the plant species Cannabis sativa L. and any part of the plant such as the seeds, all derivatives, and extracts, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. The Domestic Hemp Production Program, established in the 2018 Farm Bill and administered by AMS, allows for the cultivation of hemp under certain conditions. The target population for the Hemp Acreage and Production Survey is all US growers who are licensed to grow hemp in 2021 under the 2014 or 2018 Farm Bill. The survey was administered in all 50 States.
The full report can be found at: National Hemp Report 02/17/2022 (cornell.edu)
NORTHEAST REGION ANNUAL MILK PRODUCTION
Delaware
The annual production of milk for Delaware during 2021 was 52.0 million pounds, 26% below 2020. Production per cow in Delaware averaged 17,333 pounds for 2021, 1,220 pounds below 2020. The average number of milk cows on farms in Delaware during 2021 was 3,000 head, down 800 head from the previous year.
Maryland
The annual production of milk for Maryland during 2021 was 875 million pounds, down 1% from 2020. Production per cow in Maryland averaged 20,833 pounds for 2021, 143 pounds below last year. The average number of milk cows on farms in Maryland during 2021 was 42 thousand head, unchanged from the previous year.
New England
Milk production in the New England States decreased 2% in 2021 to 4.01 billion pounds. Production decreased in all the New England States (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) from 2020.
New Jersey
The annual production of milk for New Jersey during 2021 was 90 million pounds, 11% below 2020. Production per cow in New Jersey averaged 22,500 pounds for 2021, up 2,300 pounds from the previous year. The average number of milk cows on farms in New Jersey during 2021 was 4,000 head, down 20% from 2020.
New York
The annual production of milk for New York during 2021 was 15.5 billion pounds, up 2% from 2020. Production per cow in New York averaged 24,785 pounds per cow for 2021, up 350 pounds from the previous year. The average number of milk cows on farms in New York during 2021 was 627 thousand head, up 1 thousand head from 2020.
Pennsylvania
The annual production of milk for Pennsylvania during 2021 was 10.1 billion pounds, down 2% from 2020. Production per cow in Pennsylvania averaged 21,338 pounds for 2021, up 12 pounds from the previous year. The average number of milk cows on farms in Pennsylvania during 2021 was 474 thousand head, down 8 thousand head from 2020.
NORTHEAST REGION FARMS AND LAND IN FARMS
This report was released on February 18. A farm is “any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the year.” Government payments are included in sales. Ranches, institutional farms, experimental and research farms, and Indian Reservations are included as farms. Places with the entire acreage enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wetlands Reserve Programs (WRP), and other government conservation programs are counted as farms.
The definition of a farm was first established in 1850 and has changed nine times since. The current definition was first used for the 1974 Census.
In 2020, we have implemented a statistical modeling approach to generate survey indications. This approach was in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on data collection processes and the suspension of in-person data collection. We have been doing everything possible to keep all parties involved safe and slow the spread of the virus while continuing to produce critical data about American agriculture.
The number of farms in Delaware for 2021 is estimated at 2,300 farms, the same as 2020. Total land in farms, at 530 thousand acres, was also unchanged from the previous year. The average farm size for 2020 is 230 acres, also the same as the previous year.
The number of farms in Maryland for 2021 is estimated at 12,400 farms, unchanged from 2020. For 2021, total land in farms, at 2.00 million acres, and average farm size, at 161 acres, are both unchanged from the previous year.
New England
The number of farms, total land in farms and average size all stayed consistent in the New England States from 2020 to 2021.
The number of farms in Connecticut for 2021 is estimated at 5,500 farms; total land in farms, at 380 thousand acres; and average farm size at 69 acres.
The number of farms in Maine is estimated at 7,600 farms; total land in farms, at 1.30 million acres; and average farm size is 171 acres.
The number of farms in Massachusetts is estimated at 7,200 farms; total land in farms, at 500 thousand acres; and average farm size at 69 acres.
The number of farms in New Hampshire is estimated at 4,100 farms; total land in farms, at 430 thousand acres; and average farm size is 105 acres.
The number of farms in Rhode Island is estimated at 1,100 farms; total land in farms, at 60 thousand acres; and average farm size at 55 acres.
The number of farms in Vermont is estimated at 6,800 farms; total land in farms, at 1.20 million acres; and average farm size at 176 acres.
The number of farms in New Jersey for 2021 is estimated at 9,900 farms, unchanged from 2020. Total land in farms, at 750 thousand acres, was the same as the previous year. The average farm size for 2021 is 76 acres, also the same as 2020.
The number of farms in New York for 2021 is estimated at 33,400 farms, unchanged from 2020. Total land in farms, at 6.90 million acres, was also the same as last year. The average farm size for 2021 is 207 acres, also unchanged from the previous year.
The number of farms in Pennsylvania for 2021 is estimated at 52,700 farms, the same as the previous year. Total land in farms, at 7.30 million acres, was also unchanged from 2020. The average farm size for 2021 is 139 acres, the same as last year.
TROUT PRODUCTION
The total value of fish sales received by trout growers in the United States totaled $97.3 million for 2021, up 1% from 2020.
Trout distributed for restoration, conservation, enhancement, or recreational purposes, primarily by State and Federal hatcheries, included 5.82 million 12" or longer fish, 64.9 million 6"- 12" fish, and 46.9 million 1"- 6" fish. The estimated value of fish distributed totaled $139 million, up 3% from 2020.
Nationally, total losses of all trout intended for sale were 8.09 million fish during 2021. Disease accounted for 54% of these losses.
Pennsylvania Ranks Third Nationally in Trout Value Sales
The total value of fish sales received by trout growers in Pennsylvania totaled $7.13 million for 2021, an increase of 17% from 2020. Pennsylvania accounted for 7% of the total value of fish sold in the United States, ranking Pennsylvania third nationally behind Idaho and North Carolina.
The number of trout 12 inches and longer sold during 2021 totaled 1.28 million fish, up 29% from the previous year. The average price per pound was $4.54, down 3 cents from 2020. The value of sales for the 2021 marketing year was $6.22 million, up 17% from 2020.
Trout distributed for restoration, conservation, enhancement, or recreational purposes, primarily by State and Federal hatcheries, included 640 thousand 12" or longer fish, 5.73 million 6"- 12" fish, and 640 thousand 1"- 6" fish. The estimated value of fish distributed totaled $13.5 million, up 12% from 2020.
Total losses of all trout intended for sale were 484 thousand fish during 2021.
NEW ENGLAND VEGETABLE REPORT RELEASED
We are pleased to present the New England Vegetable Report for crops produced in 2021. This report is available at:
The Northeast Regional Field Office collects, analyzes, and estimates vegetable prices and yields at the request of USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). Funding was provided by the State Departments of Agriculture in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This data series provides a valuable tool for growers to use in making production and marketing decisions and for FSA to administer farm programs based on State yield and price data. It is also used by Cooperative Extension to provide outreach and education, as well as for the State Departments of Agriculture to assist growers.
Over 2,000 vegetable producer responses were tabulated for this publication. Producers in the six State region were asked to provide acreage, production, and price information for vegetable crops.
This publication compiles New England vegetable data from 2017 through 2021 into one report. Since total acreage data are not available for most vegetable crops, data from the 2017 Census of Agriculture are also included. Published prices and yields do not distinguish between organically and conventionally grown products.
The success of this project is credited to the cooperation of growers across New England. We sincerely appreciate their time and effort in supplying crop information.
NORTHEAST REGION VEGETABLE SUMMARY
In 2021, the Nation’s production for the 26 estimated vegetable and melon crops totaled 679 million cwt, down 4% from 2020. The utilized production totaled 675 million cwt, down 4% from 2020. Area harvested in 2021 was 2.27 million acres, down slightly from 2020. The top three vegetables, in terms of area harvested, were sweet corn, tomatoes, and snap beans. In terms of total production, the three largest crops were tomatoes, onions, and sweet corn, which combined accounted for 53% of the all vegetables total.
The full report was released on February 16, and can be found at https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/02870v86p .
New Jersey
New Jersey vegetable growers harvested bell peppers from 3,900 acres in 2021, up 100 acres from 2020 and the Nation’s third highest behind Florida and California. They reaped $48.7 million in value of utilized production from this acreage, also the Nation’s third highest.
New Jersey vegetable growers harvested 2,900 acres of squash, down 800 acres from 2020. They reaped $17.7 million in value of utilized squash production from this acreage.
New Jersey vegetable growers harvested spinach from 1,300 acres. They harvested asparagus from 1,800 acres in 2021, with a value of production of $10.8 million, the Nation’s fourth highest behind Michigan, California, and Washington. New Jersey growers commanded the Nation’s highest price for their asparagus.
New York
Snap bean production in New York is estimated at 1.78 million cwt, up 4% from the 2020 estimate. The average yield per acre is estimated at 75 cwt, up 15% from the 2020 average yield. Area harvested lagged behind 2020, and is estimated at 23,700 acres, down 10% from last year. The value of production totaled 27.6 million, up 13% from 2020.
Cabbage production in New York is estimated at 4.64 million cwt, down 15% from the 2020 estimate. The average yield per acre is estimated at 430 cwt, down 10% from the previous year. Area harvested is estimated at 10,800 acres, down 5% from the previous year. The value of production totaled $76.3 million, down 16% from 2020.
Sweet corn production is estimated at 3.07 million cwt in New York, up 13% from the 2020 estimate. The average yield per acre is estimated at 130 cwt, 15 cwt above the 2020 average yield of 115 cwt per acre. Area harvested is estimated at 23,600 acres, unchanged from the previous year. The value of production totaled $41.2 million, up 19% from 2020.
New York onion production is estimated at 2.92 million cwt, up 40% from the 2020 estimate. The average yield per acre is estimated at 430 cwt, 140 cwt above the 2020 average yield of 290 cwt per acre. Area harvested is estimated at 6,800 acres, down 6% from last year. The value of production totaled $67.5 million up 58% from 2020.
Pumpkin production is estimated at 765 thousand cwt in New York, up 30% from the 2020 estimate of 588 thousand cwt. The average yield per acre is estimated at 150 cwt, 20% higher than the 2020 average yield of 125 cwt per acre. Area harvested is estimated at 5,100 acres, up 9% from last year. The value of production totaled $15.4 million, up 39% from 2020.
New York squash production is estimated at 968 thousand cwt, up 36% from the 2020 estimate. The average yield per acre is estimated at 220 cwt, up 50 cwt from the 2020 average yield of 170 cwt per acre. Area harvested is estimated at 4,400 acres, up 5% from last year. The value of production totaled $30.5 million, up 29% from 2020.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania pumpkin production is estimated at 816 thousand cwt, up 21% from the 2020 estimate. The average yield per acre is estimated at 120 cwt, 15 cwt above the 2020 average yield of 105 cwt per acre. Area harvested is estimated at 6,800 acres, up 6% from last year. The value of production totaled $22.2 million, up 7% from 2020. The season got off to a good start in Pennsylvania, however, due to excessive rain in August and September, some areas reported the soilborne disease, phytophthora. This disease can cause the plant and fruit to collapse in the field. It can also cause the fruit to collapse 2 to 3 days after harvest.
Pennsylvania snap bean production is estimated at 428 thousand cwt, down 2% from the 2020 estimate. The average yield per acre is estimated at 68 cwt, 11 cwt above the 2020 average yield of 57 cwt per acre. Area harvested is estimated at 6,300 acres, down 18% from last year. The value of production totaled $9.11 million, up 24% from 2020.
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BECOME A CROP WEATHER REPORTER
If you are knowledgeable about crops across your county and have Internet access, you qualify to be a weekly crop reporter. It only takes about 10-15 minutes each week to alert USDA of the crop situation in your county using the Internet report form. We will use that information to generate the weekly report of Crop Conditions across the Northeastern Region.
This report is issued weekly during the growing season, April to November, and lists planting, fruiting, and harvesting progress and overall condition of selected crops in major producing states.
You can help alert USDA about crop progress and unusual crop conditions during the growing seasons. Instead of waiting until the crop is in, you can give us an early warning of crop situations that may need our attention for possible assistance.
To learn more, visit our website and click on the “Help Wanted” button found here: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Pennsylvania/Publications/Crop_Progress_and_Condition/index.php
To Growers: I hope you can find the time to help us make the most accurate ‘Agriculture Counts’ by returning your survey form as soon as possible or answering our questions over the telephone or if someone comes to visit.
Be assured, as with all NASS surveys, the information respondents provide is confidential by law. NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes only state- and national-level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified. All reports are available on the NASS website at www.nass.usda.gov.
Editor’s Note: This is a monthly column from the Northeastern Regional Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS-NERFO). The website is www.nass.usda.gov; for the reports mentioned below, click on the “Publications” tab.
