New USDA data show farmers are planting more wheat acres this fall as market prices surge on strong demand. It’s the first acreage increase for wheat in eight years and could foreshadow increases in other crop plantings in 2021 on generally stronger prices in other pits. In all, wheat plantings are up 1.7 million acres at a projected 46 million acres, up from 44.3 million for the 2020 crop year. Specifically, winter wheat plantings are projected up 3.6% at 31.5 million acres. A USDA survey of U.S. wheat farmers in January will show more conclusive data on winter wheat plantings. See more on the wheat boom.