USA: Barley crop down 15%

Barley production is estimated at 180 million bushels, unchanged from the Small Grains 2006 Summary but down 15% from last year, according to the USDA, SNS News reported on January 12.

Average yield per acre, at 61.0 bushels, is the same as the previous estimate but 3.8 bushels below 2005. The area harvested for grain is estimated at 2.95 million acres, unchanged from September but 10% below a year ago.

Planted area, at 3.45 million acres, is unchanged from the previous estimate but 11% lower than in 2005. Area harvested for grain is the lowest since 1885, while production is the lowest since 1936. Harvested area is down in most States, including the four States with the largest acreage.

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