Alfalfa Forecast Up on Year

WASHINGTON - Oct 12/07 - SNS -- Alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures output is forecast at 72.3 million tons, up 3% from the August forecast and up 1% from last year, according to the latest USDA crop estimates.

Based on October 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 3.37 tons per acre, up 0.11 ton from August and up 0.02 ton from 2006. Harvested area is forecast at 21.5 million acres, unchanged from August but slightly above the previous year's acreage.

Yields are forecast to either remain unchanged or increase from the previous forecast across most States in the Great Plains, Corn Belt, Ohio Valley, and Great Basin. Adequate rainfall during September resulted in improved yield expectations. The largest yield increase is forecast in South Dakota and Texas, both up 0.6 ton from the previous forecast. Record level yields are forecast in California, Nevada, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Texas. The largest yield decrease is forecast in Kentucky, down 0.4 ton from the previous forecast as a result of continuous dry conditions Statewide.

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