Smaller Asparagus Harvest

WASHINGTON - Sep 6/07 - SNS -- This season's asparagus crop in the United States is forecast at 1.13 million cwt (100 pound units), down 8% from last year, according to the USDA. Harvested area, at 41,200 acres, is down 8% from 2006.

Fresh production of 936,000 cwt, is down 6% from a year ago. Processed production, at 9,900 tons, is down 18% from 2006. Asparagus for canning, at 5,900 tons, is down 26% from last year. Frozen asparagus production of 4,000 tons, is down 2% from 2006.

Total value of the crop, at 113 million dollars, is up 8% from 2006. In California, a freeze in mid-January had minimal impact on the asparagus crop. Acreage continues to decline due to competition from imports. In Michigan, the asparagus crop emerged in the west cental area in late April. The crop did not exhibit severe damage from the winter weather conditions.

Harvest began on a limited basis at the beginning of May and continued on schedule for the remainder of the month. Despite some reports of purple spots, new plantings proceeded on schedule. Yields were average, but the quality of the crop was excellent. Harvest was near completion in older stands towards the end of May. In June, an extended period of warm weather matured the crop quickly. Common asparagus beetles affected some fields in west central Michigan.

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