Barley Crop Outlook Improves

WASHINGTON - Aug 12/14 SNS -- U.S. barley production is forecast at 193 million bushels, up 3% from the July forecast but down 10% from 2013, according to the USDA's latest crop production forecast.

Based on conditions as of August 1, the average yield for the United States is forecast at 73.2 bushels per acre, up 2.0 bushels from the previous forecast and up 1.5 bushels from last year. If realized, this would represent a record high yield for the United States. Area harvested for grain or seed, at 2.63 million acres, is unchanged from the previous forecast but down 12% from 2013.

Hot, dry conditions in the Pacific Northwest promoted rapid crop development with emergence and heading of the crop ahead of the 5-year average. In North Dakota and Minnesota, planting was delayed due to cool, wet spring weather. In Minnesota, crop development has continued to be behind the 5-year average, while in North Dakota, crop maturation has progressed more quickly and by mid-July heading progress was slightly ahead of the 5-year average. By mid- July, 83% of the Nation's barley crop was headed, 11 percentage points ahead of last year and 16 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By month's end, harvest was underway in several of the major production states, including Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, and Washington. Overall, 66% of the barley crop was reported in good to excellent condition on August 3, two percentage points below the rating on July 6 but slightly above the same time last year.