Greater Competition For Pea, Lentil Land

WASHINGTON - Dec 21/06 - SNS -- Keen interest in growing grains and oilseeds to take advantage of escalating demand resulting from the bio fuels industry will make it tougher for peas and lentils to compete for the attention of growers next spring, believes the USDA's Gary Lucier.

Writing in the December edition of the Economic Research Service's Melons and Vegetables Outlook, Lucier said, "Despite the expectation of rising prices for both dry peas and lentils over the coming months, the focus of some growers may be drawn away from these crops in 2007-08.

"Potential returns for nearly every crop grown in rotation with dry peas and lentils are averaging well above those of a year earlier and futures markets indicate that prices for crops such as wheat and corn could move higher as planting decisions are made and seed orders are placed this winter.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here