by King Whetstone, Regional Director, USDA-NASS, Northeastern Regional Field Office
USDA TO GATHER DATA ABOUT FARM LABOR
Currently the biannual Agricultural Labor Survey is underway. The survey collects information about hired labor from more than 2,000 farmers and ranchers. The survey results will be published on May 24 in the Farm Labor report available on the NASS website: https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/x920fw89s?locale=en
In the survey, we ask producers to answer a variety of questions about hired farm labor on their operations, including total number of hired farm workers, the total hours worked, and total wages paid for the weeks of Jan. 8-14 and April 9-15. Survey participants can respond online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail.
Agricultural labor data are critical in helping producers when hiring workers and estimating expenses. The data that farm operators provide through NASS’s Agricultural Labor Survey also allow federal policymakers to base farm labor policies on accurate information.
USDA and the U.S. Department of Labor use the results of this survey to estimate the demand for and availability of seasonal agricultural workers, establish minimum wage rates for agricultural workers, administer farm labor recruitment and placement service programs, and assist legislators in determining labor policies.
By asking about two separate time periods each time we collect data during the year, we are able to publish biannual data and capture seasonal variation. This approach reduces the number of times we survey farms, while ensuring that accurate and timely data are available.
All previous Farm Labor publications are available on the NASS website at www.nass.usda.gov. Participants can visit youtu.be/6oWSOjGTQzU for further instructions on completing the survey. Producers responding online can use the NASS Respondent Portal. On the portal, producers can complete their surveys, see previously reported data, access data visualizations and reports of interest, link to other USDA agencies, get a local weather update and more.
PROSPECTIVE PLANTINGS
U.S. corn growers intend to plant 92.0 million acres of corn for all purposes in 2023, up 4% from last year according to the Prospective Plantings report released March 31st. Planted acreage for 2023 is expected to be up or unchanged in 40 of the 48 estimating States. Record high acreage is expected in Arizona and Idaho. Record low acreage is expected in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Acreage increases from last year of 150,000 or more from last year are expected in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
U.S. soybean growers intend to plant 87.5 million acres in 2023, up slightly from last year. Compared with last year, planted acreage intentions are up or unchanged in 15 of the 29 estimating States. If realized, the planted area in Illinois, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin will be the largest on record.
The 2023 U.S. winter wheat planted area is estimated at 37.5 million acres, up 2% from the previous estimate and up 13% from last year. If realized this represents the highest winter wheat planted area since 2015, as growers look to capitalize on strong prices.
Area expected to be seeded to oats for the 2023 crop year is estimated at 2.67 million acres, up 3% from 2022. If realized, the United States planted area will be the fifth lowest on record. Record low planted acreage is expected in Idaho and Ohio.
U.S. barley producers intend to seed 2.92 million acres of barley for the 2023 crop year, down 1% from the previous year. In Montana, the largest barley State, acreage is expected to increase by 6%, from last year. Record low barley acres are expected in California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and South Dakota.
United States all tobacco area for harvest in 2023 is expected to total 197 thousand acres, down 2% from 2022. If realized, this will be the second lowest tobacco harvested area on record.
The Prospective Plantings report provides the first official, survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers' 2023 planting intentions. NASS's acreage estimates are based on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March from a sample of approximately 72,900 farm operators across the United States. Key findings in the Northeastern states are:
Delaware
Corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at 175 thousand acres, up 3% from last year. Soybean planted area is estimated at 150 thousand acres, down 6% from last year. Barley planted area is estimated at 21 thousand acres, unchanged from the previous year. Winter wheat area planted is estimated at 80 thousand acres, unchanged from last year. Hay area harvested is estimated at a record low 11 thousand acres, unchanged from the previous year.
Maryland
Corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at 460 thousand acres, up 5% from last year. Soybean planted area is estimated at 530 thousand acres, up 2% from the previous year. Barley planted area is estimated at 34 thousand acres, up 21% from last year. Winter wheat area planted is estimated at 370 thousand acres, up 4% from the previous year. Hay area harvested is estimated at 220 thousand acres, up 2% from last year.
New England
Corn – Corn planted for Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are unchanged from the previous year; up for Vermont; down for New Hampshire and Maine. Connecticut corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at 25 thousand acres, unchanged from last year; Maine corn planted area for all purposes is estimated 28 thousand acres, down 3% from last year; Massachusetts corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at a record low 14 thousand acres; New Hampshire corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at 12 thousand acres; Rhode Island corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at a record low 2 thousand acres; and Vermont corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at 92 thousand acres.
Oats - Maine oat planted area for all purposes is estimated at 26 thousand acres, unchanged from last year.
All Dry Hay - Connecticut hay area harvested is estimated at 53 thousand acres, up 2% from last year. Maine hay area harvested is estimated at 140 thousand acres, up 4% from last year. Massachusetts hay area harvested is estimated at 60 thousand acres, unchanged from the previous year. New Hampshire hay area harvested is estimated at 43 thousand acres, up 2% from last year. Rhode Island hay area harvested is estimated at a record low 5 thousand acres, down 29% from the previous year. Vermont hay area harvested is estimated at 175 thousand acres, up 6% from last year.
New Jersey
Corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at 85 thousand acres, up 12% from the previous year. Soybean planted area is estimated at 100 thousand acres, down 9% from last year. Winter wheat area planted is estimated at 30 thousand acres, up 15% from last year. Hay area harvested is estimated at 95 thousand acres, down 13% from the previous year.
New York
Corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at 1.10 million acres, up 7% from last year. Soybean planted area is estimated at a record high 355 thousand acres, up 1% from 2022. Oat planted area is estimated at 80 thousand acres, up 18% from the previous year. Winter wheat area planted is estimated at 170 thousand acres, up 21% from last year. Hay area harvested is estimated at 1.31 million acres, up 6% from the previous year. New York producers intend to seed a record low 9 thousand acres of barley for the 2023 crop year, the same as the previous year.
Pennsylvania
For the 2023 crop season, growers across the State intend to increase the area devoted to corn. Corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at 1.31 million acres, up 11% from last year. Soybeans planted in 2023 is estimated at 590 thousand acres, down 2% from last year. Barley planted area is estimated at 37 thousand acres, down 10% from the previous year. Oat planted area is estimated at 78 thousand acres, down 10% from last year. Winter wheat area planted is estimated at 290 thousand acres, up 7% from the previous year. Hay area harvested is estimated at 1.36 million acres, up 1% from last year. Tobacco harvested area is estimated at 4.70 thousand acres, down 6% from the previous year, and the lowest harvested acres since 2004.
*Also released on March 31st was the quarterly Grain Stocks report to provide estimates of on-farm and off-farm stocks as of March 1. The full report can be found at https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/xg94hp534
HOGS AND PIGS INVENTORY
As of March 1, there were 72.9 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up slightly from March 1, 2022, but down 2% from December 1, 2022, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published March 30th.
Pennsylvania inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1, 2023, was 1.30 million head. This was down 4% from both March 1, 2022, and December 1, 2022. Breeding inventory, at 135 thousand head, was down 4% from last year, but the same as the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 1.17 million head, is down 4% from last year, and down 5% from the previous quarter.
During the first half of March 2023, data were collected from about 3,000 operations, 66.7% of the total sample.
HONEY PRODUCTION
Nationwide, there were 2.67 million colonies producing honey in 2022, down 1% from 2021. Yield per colony averaged 47.0 pounds, unchanged from 2021. Producer honey stocks were 23.3 million pounds on December 15, 2022, down 1% from a year earlier. United States honey prices increased 12% during 2022 to $2.96 per pound, compared to $2.65 per pound in 2021.
Five states in the Northeastern Region for published honey production are Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island were published with Alaska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma as Other States to avoid disclosing data for individual operations if published separately.
New England - Maine
Maine honey production in 2022 from Maine producers with five or more colonies totaled 230 thousand pounds, down 39% from 2021. There were 10 thousand colonies producing honey in 2022, down 9% from a year earlier. Yield per colony averaged 23.0 pounds, down 32% from 2021. Honey prices increased during 2022 to $6.49 per pound, up 89% from $3.43 per pound in 2021. Producer honey stocks were 64 thousand pounds on December 15, 2022, up 7% from a year earlier.
New England - Vermont
Honey production in 2022 from Vermont producers with five or more colonies totaled 282 thousand pounds, unchanged from 2021. There were 6 thousand colonies producing honey in 2022, unchanged from 2021. Yield per colony averaged 47.0 pounds, unchanged from 2021. Honey prices increased during 2022 to $7.04 per pound, up 75% from $4.02 per pound in 2021. Producer honey stocks were 121 thousand pounds on December 15, 2022, up 86% from a year earlier.
New Jersey
Honey production in 2022 from New Jersey producers with five or more colonies totaled 624 thousand pounds, up 19% from the previous year. There were 16 thousand colonies producing honey in 2022, up 7% from a year earlier. Yield per colony averaged 39.0 pounds, up 11% from 2021. Producer honey stocks were 62 thousand pounds on December 15, 2022. Honey prices increased during 2022 to $4.00 per pound, up from $3.44 per pound in 2021.
New York
Honey production in 2022 from New York producers with five or more colonies totaled 2.86 million pounds, down 5% from 2021. There were 54 thousand colonies producing honey in 2022, down 5% from 2021. Yield per colony averaged 53.0 pounds, unchanged from the previous year. Producer honey stocks were
916 thousand pounds on December 15, 2022, up 38% from a year earlier. Honey prices decreased during 2022 to $3.61 per pound, down 9% from $3.98 per pound in 2021.
Pennsylvania
Honey production in 2022 from Pennsylvania producers with five or more colonies totaled 1.06 million pounds, up 26% from 2021. There were 23 thousand colonies producing honey in 2022, up 15% from 2021. Yield per colony averaged 46.0 pounds, up 10% from the 42.0 pounds in 2021. Producer honey stocks were
487 thousand pounds on December 15, 2022, up 45% from a year earlier. Honey prices increased during 2022
to $5.81 per pound, up 51% from $3.86 per pound in 2021.
DO YOU USE THE INTERNET?
If so, you could serve agriculture by describing crop conditions in your county. During the growing season, we only ask that you tell us about the condition of crops that you are already familiar with.
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
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To Growers: I would like to thank you for your contribution to U.S. agriculture and support of our programs. I hope you will continue to support NASS 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.
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.