Small Boost to Field Pea Estimate

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/07 - SNS -- This season's dry edible pea harvest in Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, and Washington ended up at 13.2 million cwt (100 pound units) for 2006, up 1% from the November 1 forecast but down 6% from 2005, according to the USDA 's final production estimate fore 2006.

Area harvested, at 884,100 acres, is up 1% from the previous forecast and 15% above last year. Average yield, at 1,493 pounds per acre, decreased 3 pounds from the November 1 forecast and is 335 pounds below 2005.

Production in Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and Washington is down 22%, 6%, 5%, and 10%, respectively, from last season. Production in Oregon showed a 69% increase from 2005, but 19% below the 2004 crop.

Planting in North Dakota started in mid April but was delayed due to a late winter storm and subsequent wet fields. Dry conditions during May allowed the planting to catch up and was virtually complete by the end of the month. Soil moisture supplies were adequate during June but deteriorated to mostly short and very short for the remainder of the growing season. Additionally, above normal temperatures adversely affected crop conditions. Harvest started the third week of July and was complete by the third week of August, nearly two weeks ahead of last year's pace.

Montana received heavy precipitation near the end of April which caused a short delay in planting. Temperatures in the mid 70s during the beginning of May with light precipitation enabled farmers to finish planting ahead of last year. Above normal temperatures prevailed during the end of May and the beginning of June. During July and August, the State had above normal temperatures and limited precipitation both of which negatively impacted pea yields.

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