U.S. Pea, Lentil Area Below Intentions

VANCOUVER - Jul 12/11 - SNS -- Field pea and lentil plantings in the United States fell far short of this year's intended area, judging from seeded area estimates contained in the latest USDA crop report.

Wet conditions in North Dakota delayed seeding by three weeks, while boggy conditions in parts of the state the last half of June prevented farmers from finishing seeding.

The net result was lentil area sank from an intended 275,000 acres to just 100,000. Farmers in Montana did a better job of seeding the crop, with area dropping from an intended 320,000 to an estimated 280,000 in the ground. Growers in the U.S. Pacific Northwest planted almost all the lentils they intended, with area slipping to 132,000 acres from an intended 135,000.

Total field pea was also affected by the problems in North Dakota and Montana, with farmers in the United States planting 416,000 of the 586,000 they intended to grow this year. The biggest drop from the intentions was in North Dakota, where area fell from 275,000 to 130,000 acres. Farmers in Montana managed to plant 190,000 of the 215,000 they intended; while growers in the Washington, Idaho and Oregon planted the entire 96,000 acres they intended.