Solid Increase in U.S. Lentil Harvest

WASHINGTON - Nov 9/07 - SNS -- Lentil output in the United States came in around 3.49 million cwt (100 pound units) or 158,305 metric tons (MT), up 8% from last year, according to the USDA's latest crop report.

Area for harvest is forecast at 296,000 acres, down 27% from the previous year. Average yield is expected to be 1,179 pounds per acre, up 382 pounds per acre from 2006.

North Dakota's production, at 1.31 million cwt, is up 8% from 2006. Harvested area is down 28% from last year, while the average yield increased by 420 pounds per acre to 1,240. Soil moisture supplies were rated adequate through June, then deteriorated to mostly short to adequate for the remainder of the growing season. Above normal temperatures throughout the growing season promoted crop development. Harvest of the crop started the third week of July and was complete by mid-September.

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