E-Malt.com News article: 610

American Malting Barley Association Inc. has reported that US barley production for 2002 year is estimated at 226.873 million bushels (4.94 million metric tons) – down 9 % from last year's estimate. This year's production is the lowest since 1937. Average yield per acre, at 54.9 bushels (1.195 metric tons), is down 3.3 bushels (0.072 metric tons) from 2001, the association reported. The area harvested for grain is estimated at 4.14 million acres, 4 percent below a year ago, and is the lowest level since 1898. North Dakota is the state with the largest production of barley of about 57.04 million bushels (1.242 million metric tons) after which comes the state Idaho with 53.96 million bushels (1.175 million metric tons).