U.S. Barley Crop Under pressure

WASHINGTON - Aug 11/06 - SNS -- Barley production for 2006 is forecast at 183 million bushels, 14% below 2005, and 4% below the July 1 forecast, and the lowest U.S. harvest since 1936, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Based on conditions as of August 1, the average yield is forecast at 61.2 bushels per acre, down 3.6 bushels from last year and 2.2 bushels below last month. Area for harvest, at 2.99 million acres, is down 9% from 2005 and the lowest since 1885. Compared to 2005, harvested area and production are down in all major-producing States, except Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Utah.

Hot, dry weather in most barley-growing regions has depleted soil moisture, causing crop condition to deteriorate and limiting the yield potential. However, the dry conditions have been favorable for harvest. As of July 30, seventeen% of the acreage had been harvested, compared with 6% last year and 5% for the 5-year average.

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