MADISON, Wis. -- American farmers are expected to plant a record amount of corn this year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates 90.5 million acres will be devoted to corn crops. High corn prices and a great demand for ethanol are fueling the planting increase, WISC-TV reported.

"We're probably going to be up 2 to 3 percent," said farmer David Smithback. "Not as much as a lot of farmers are though."

Across Wisconsin, farmers are expected to plant 4 million acres of corn, which is 10 percent more than last year.

The increased demand is putting a demand on seed distribution companies like Pioneer Hi-Bred, WISC-TV reported.

"The increased corn acres didn't really come into play until July, and all of our seed is produced starting last spring," said Pioneer Hi-Bred account manager Randy Braden. "Without the anticipation of these increased corn acres, it did put a damper on some of our supply."

"We talked this past fall about ethanol using one to two rows of corn right now," said UW Extension Crops and Soils agent David Fischer. "That could be up to three or more of every five rows of corn being produced for ethanol."

Some farmers said that they're also excited about the nearly $4 a bushel that they're getting. While the corn supply is forecast to reach record levels, Mother Nature helps drive the final decision by dictating whether farmers can get into the field early enough.

"If we get past May 15, farmers are going to have to make a decision," said Fischer. "Are they going to plant corn and have a lower yield? Or are they going to go to soybeans?"

Suppliers like Pioneer are counting on corn importing seed from South America to meet demand, WISC-TV reported.

"Let's get the best yields we can and prove that we can raise ethanol, produce corn for the people as well as exporting," said Smithback.

Some agriculture experts said consumers would also pay those higher corn prices when they go to buy dairy or meat products, all of which consumer a lot of corn.