Edible Bean Seedings Jump 35%

WASHINGTON - Jun 29/12 - SNS -- Dry edible bean growers in the United States did not completely follow through on this year's seeding intentions, boosting seeded area 35% to 1.63 million acres, down 40,000 from what they had hoped to plant.

In releaseing its seeded area estimates for 2012, the USDA said it expected farmers would harvest 1.57 million acres, 36% above the previous year. Planted area is expected to be higher than last year in 14 of the 18 estimating States.

In North Dakota, planting began the end of April, progressed quickly during mid-May, and was virtually complete by the first week of June. Fifty- nine% of the dry edible bean crop was emerged as of June 3, almost two weeks ahead of average.

In Michigan dry bean planting proceeded more quickly than normal due to an early start and favorable planting conditions. The crop was 7% planted at the end of May. However, growers made excellent progress and had 92% of the beans in the ground by mid-June. Emergence was quick due to adequate moisture and warm soils.

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