13% Hike in U.S. Mustard Crop

WASHINGTON - Jan 11/08 - SNS -- Mustard and rapeseed production posted a solid increase in the United States in 2007, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) final crop report for 2007.

Mustard seed production in 2007 increased 13% from last year to 31.8 million pounds, the first time since 2002 that production increased compared with the previous year. Planted area, at 56,000 acres, is up 38% and harvested area, at 52,800 acres, is up 35% from 2006. Yields averaged 603 pounds per acre, 117 pounds below a year ago.

Rapeseed production increased as well, up 18% from 2006 to 1.30 million pounds. Despite the increase, production is the third smallest since records began in 1991. Growers planted 1,500 acres of rapeseed in 2007, an increase of 100 acres from last year. Harvested area, at 1,000 acres, is unchanged from last year. The average yield is 1,300 pounds per acre, up 200 pounds from last year.

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