USA: Barley harvest may slip 13% in USA

This year's barley crop in the United States is expected to reach 243 million bushels (5.29 million metric tonnes), 13% below 2004, according to the latest USDA crop report of July 11.

Based on conditions as of July 1, the average yield is forecast at 70.0 bushels (1.52 metric tonnes) per acre, up 0.6 bushel ( 0.013 metric tonnes) from last year. If realized, this would be the highest yield on record. Area for harvest, at 3.47 million acres, is down 14% from 2004 and the lowest since 1890.

Production declines are expected for all of last year's 13 largest producing States, mostly due to decreased acreage. Area harvested is expected to decrease in all of last year's 12 largest producing States.

Forecast yields are at or above 2004 in most States, and, if realized, would set new record highs in Colorado and Montana and tie record high yields in Idaho and Utah. In North Dakota, yield is forecast at 70 bushels per acre, up 1 bushel from last year, but area harvested, at 1.15 million acres, is down 22% from last year and the lowest since 1936, resulting in a 21% decrease in expected production.

13 July, 2005