U.S. Field Pea Crop Plunges 20%

WASHINGTON - Nov 9/10 - SNS --Dry field pea production in the United States sank 20% from last year to end up at 13.7 million cwt (100 pound units), according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Area for harvest, at 711,400 acres, is 15% below a year ago. Average yield is forecast at 1,921 pounds per acre, down 124 pounds from last season.

North Dakota's dry edible pea production is forecast at 8.22 million cwt, down 29% from last season. Harvested acres, at 405,000, decreased 16% and average yield is down 370 pounds per acre from last season. Planting began about a week behind normal and finished about a week ahead of the 2005-2009 average. Soil moisture supplies were rated mostly adequate and the 2010 crop condition was rated mostly good throughout the entire growing season. Harvest started the final week of July, a week ahead of last year, and was essentially finished by the end of August, two weeks ahead of the previous season.

Production in Montana, at 3.80 million cwt, is up 26% from the 2009 estimate. Harvested area decreased by 12% to 200,000 acres but average yield increased by 570 pounds per acre to 1,900. The crop was 93% planted by May 31 and 96% emerged by June 13, about the same as last year. Crop condition, by mid-August, was rated as mostly good to excellent. Producers began harvest at the end of July and it was 99% completed by September 12.