Rice Potential Slips

WASHINGTON - Nov 10/08 - SNS -- Rice production is forecast at 203 million cwt (100 pound units), down less than 1% from the October forecast but up 3% from last year, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Area for harvest is expected to total 2.92 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 6% from 2007. As of November 1, the U.S. yield is forecast at 6,959 pounds per acre, down 23 pounds from the October 1 forecast and 226 pounds below the 2007 record yield of 7,185 pounds per acre. Expected yields decreased from the previous month in both Arkansas and Mississippi, while Louisiana's forecasted yield increased 100 pounds per acre. Yields were unchanged from the previous month in California, Texas, and Missouri.

As of October 26, 95% of the U.S. acreage was harvested, compared with 94% harvested at the same time last year and 96% for the five-year average. Significant progress was made during October in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri, but harvest in all 3 States was later than normal due to late spring planting. Harvest was complete in Texas by October 12, while Louisiana growers finished by months' end. So far 93% of California's rice acreage was harvested by October 26, fourteen percentage points ahead of last year's pace and 7 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

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