U.S. Edible Bean Seeding Nears Completion

WASHINGTON - Jun 20/05 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's dry edible bean and chickpea crops is entering its final days in much of the United States, judging from data available from states reporting seeding progress.

Seeding is now complete in Washington state and Montana, and wrapping up in Wyoming, with 97% of this year's crop in the ground. Seeding is advancing most slowly in Michigan, though at 64% complete, seeding is moving at a quicker than average pace. The only state where seeding is behind average in North Dakota, where 84% of the crop has been planted, down from 86% at this time last year and the recent average of 95% complete by the third week of June.

Not all states are reporting on crop condition, but for those that are crops look to be in mostly good condition. Crops look best in Colorado and Washington, where they are rated mainly good; and poorest North Dakota and Montana where they are rated good to fair.

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