Pea and Lentils Peaking in U.S.

VANCOUVER - Nov 9/06 - SNS -- Field pea and lentil production in the United States may have peaked last year, while total seeded area has likely peaked for the medium term this year.

In its latest crop report, the USDA pegged lentil output across the United States at 149,596 metric tons (MT) from 429,000 acres; down from 234,192 MT from 450,000 acres last year. Green and yellow pea output was also down from last year, coming in at 594,348 from 830,500 acres, versus 633,494 MT from 708,000 acres in 2005.

North Dakota is the largest producer of pulses in the United States, accounting for 160,000 acres of lentils and 610,000 acres of field peas. Montana is the second largest pea and lentil growing region, planting 210,000 acres of peas and 142,000 acres of lentils this year.

Yields in both states were down sharply this year, while yields in the Pacific northwest, the traditional growing area for these crops, are up over last year. In North Dakota, field pea yields dropped 16.8%, lentils plunged almost 40%, and dry edible bean yields look to be down 31%. By contrast, corn yields declined 12.4% from last year, soybeans 14% and wheat almost 12%.

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