Planted acres represent the predicted number of crop acres within a selected draw area based on crop type and cropped acreage. These predictions are generated at three different points in the year, each using different sources of information.
- Before the season begins, planted acres are estimated using historical planting patterns for each field, and this pre season data is released in March.
- During the growing season, planted acres are updated using current season satellite imagery at a 30 meter resolution combined with historical field level planting patterns, and this in season update is released with the first yield predictions for each crop on or after August first.
- After the season ends, planted acres are finalized using the USDA official Cropland Data Layer, also at a 30 meter resolution. These post season values are released along with DTN pseudo final yield estimates. The USDA Cropland Data Layer is typically released between late January and late February, so post season planted acres can generally be expected by mid to late March.