USA: Barley forecast shrinks 3% from July but up 24% y/y

Barley production for 2007 is forecast at 223 million bushels, 3% below last month but 24% above 2006, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates, SNS reported August 10.

Based on conditions as of August 1, the average yield for the U.S. is forecast at 63.1 bushels per acre, down 2.1 bushels from July but up 2.1 bushels from last year. Expected area to be harvested as grain or seed, at 3.54 million acres, is up 20% from 2006. The top 3 producing States are expected to produce 72% of the Nation's barley crop.

Harvest across the northern United States, from Minnesota to Washington, progressed ahead of normal. As of the week ending July 29, barley was 14% harvested in these States, ahead of the 5-year average of 7%. Barley crop condition for the week ending July 29 was rated 62% good to excellent compared with 51% for the same week last year.

15 August, 2007