Edible Bean Seedings Slashed 6%

WASHINGTON - Jun 30/06 - SNS -- Dry edible bean seedings ended up falling 6% below year earlier levels in the United States, slumping to 1.56 million acres, according to the USDA's seeded area estimates for 2006.

The June planted acres estimate is 9% below growers March planting intentions. Acres to be harvested are estimated at 1.47 million, down 7% from last year but 20% above 2004.

Lower prices for the 2005 crop contributed to the decrease in planted and harvested acres. Eleven of the 18 dry bean States have decreased planted acreage from a year ago, 2 are unchanged, and 5 have increased acres from 2005.

North Dakota's planted area of 600,000 acres is down 3% from last year. In Michigan, dry bean plantings of 225,000 acres are 4% below 2005. Nebraska's acreage decreased 23% to 135,000 acres, while Minnesota's dry bean acreage dropped 7% to 135,000 acres. Colorado growers decreased planted acres 36%, Montana went down 22%, and New York is 14% below 2005.

Texas is down 12%, Utah 11%, California 9%, and Wyoming decreased 3% from 2005. Planted acres in Kansas and Wisconsin are unchanged from 2005. Planted acres in Washington increased 43% from last year, New Mexico 37%, Oregon 33%, South Dakota 14%, and planted acres in Idaho went up 10% from 2005.

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