U.S. Looks At Third Smallest Oat Crop

WASHINGTON - Jul 10/09 - SNS -- Oats production in the United States is forecast at 91.3 million bushels, 3% above last year's record low 88.6 million bushels, according to the USDA.

If realized, this will be the third lowest production on record. Based on conditions as of July 1, the yield is forecast at 64.0 bushels per acre, up 0.5 bushel from 2008. Growers expect to harvest 1.43 million acres for grain or seed, up 2% from last year. If realized, this will be the second smallest harvested area on record.

The oat crop has developed at a near-normal pace in most States this year. As of June 28, 68% of oat acreage was headed, 7 points ahead of last year's pace but 6 points behind the 5-year average. With the exception of North Dakota, the% of the crop headed was within 5 points of normal in all of the 9 major oat-producing States.

As of June 28, none of the oat crop in North Dakota had started to head, compared with the normal progress for that date of 32%, as cool weather this spring delayed planting and crop development. Around 60% of the oat crop in the 9 major producing States was rated as good to excellent, compared with 65% last year.

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