U.S. Barley Plantings Soar 44%

WASHINGTON - Jun 29/12 - SNS -- Producers seeded 3.68 million acres of barley in the United States this year, up 44% from the previous year, according to the USDA's seeded area estimates for 2012.

Harvested area, forecast at 3.27 million acres, is up 46% from 2011. This is the first increase evident for barley acreage since 2008.

Seeded area increased from last year across much of the Northern Tier, where nearly 80% of the Nation's crop is grown, as improved weather - when compared with the 2011 crop season - promoted rapid spring fieldwork and provided favorable conditions for crop growth.

As April began, barley producers across much of the country were busy seeding this year's crop, with progress advancing ahead of the normal pace in most States. Conversely, cool spring temperatures coupled with excessively wet fields in Washington limited fieldwork. Emergence was underway by April 15.

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