U.S. farmers will plant one of the biggest crops in decades this year, as the amount of acreage set aside for planting will increase by 2.5 percent, reports Bloomberg.
According to a study conducted by the news source, the total amount of land used for crops this year will reach 226.9 million acres. Compared to last year, that's an increase in available planting land roughly equal to the size of New Jersey. The main reason for the increase is the use of land that was left fallow in 2011 along with new fields opened up by the end of some conservation programs.
Overall, it's the biggest allocation of land for crops since 1984, reports the news source. Specifically, the amount of corn expected to be planted this year is the largest since World War II.
Farmers say that they are planting more due to the high price of many crops, which hit record heights in some cases last year.
"There is unlikely to be any ground that won’t be planted this year," farmer Todd Wachtel told the news source. "Farmers know that they have to plant more when prices are high because they may not last."
Those preparing to increase their crop production this year may want to invest in agricultural equipment from the online auction website IronPlanet, as it will help come harvesting time. Combine harvesters, tractors and augers will all help with the annual crop yield.
