Alfalfa Crop Down 2% On Year

WASHINGTON - Oct 12/06 - SNS -- Alfalfa and alfalfa hay mixtures output is forecast at 74.5 million tons, up 5% from the August forecast but down 2% from last year, according to the USDA's crop production report.

Yields are expected to average 3.33 tons per acre, up 0.15 ton from August but down 0.05 ton from 2005. Harvested area is forecast at 22.4 million acres, unchanged from August but slightly above the previous year's acreage.

Compared with August, yields are forecast to either remain unchanged or increase across the northern and eastern Corn Belt, in addition to several states in the Ohio Valley and Pacific Northwest. Adequate rainfall and desirable temperatures in August and September resulted in improved yield expectations.

The largest yield increase is forecast in Washington, up 0.7 ton from the previous forecast. The only States expecting a decline in yield from August are Arizona, Illinois, Utah, Oklahoma, and New York.

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