USA, ID: Idaho’s barley crop planting a bit ahead of schedule

Planting of Idaho’s barley crop is a bit ahead of schedule, and growers are pleased by their early growth, said Idaho Barley Commission Administrator Kelly Olson.

According to a May 11 crop progress report issued by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Idaho’s barley crop is 90 percent planted, well ahead of the five-year average for the date of 81 percent.

“What’s left to plant is the typical high-elevation areas where (growers) have to wait for the soils to warm up,” Olson said.

Olson said some cold nights are in the forecast for Eastern Idaho, but the crop has fared well and “the outlook is very favorable.”

NASS estimated 1 percent of Idaho’s barley crop is in poor condition, 26 percent is in fair condition, 59 percent is in good condition and 14 percent is in excellent condition.

16 May, 2014