USA: Barley planting has been finished in North Dakota

Barley producers in North Dakota have finished planting barley, Steve Edwardson, executive administrator for the North Dakota Barley Council has recently communicated, according to Farm & Ranch Guide article published on June 23.

North Dakota's barley acres are estimated to be 1.2 million acres, which represents a 25 % decrease from the 1.6 million acres planted last year and down 41 % from the 2.05 million acres seeded in 2003. the National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates nationwide barley acres in 2005 to total 3.974 million acres, down 12 % from 2004.

In the last USDA Economic Resource Service report on supply and demand, the projected ending stocks of barley was trimmed by 4 million bushels to 116 million bushels.

"These figures indicate carryover production is being utilized," Edwardson said, "but not at a pace fast enough to stimulate a rally in prices. The significant carryover supply continues to place downward pressure on prices." In looking at the current crop conditions, Edwardson doesn't see any news that would strengthen the market at this time.

"As of June 12, the North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service rated 86 percent of the barley crops as good to excellent," he pointed out. "The trade is likely to remain quiet with prices remaining flat until new crop harvest begins in the coming weeks."

In looking at the worldwide scene, Edwardson said UDSA estimates the 2004/2005 Australia barley export figures grew by 700,000 tonnes based on strong demand from the Middle East and North Africa. Iran barley imports were raised by 300,000 tonnes, with those imports coming from Australia.

USDA estimations also indicate an increase in the barley exports from Canada in 2005/2006 by 200,000 tons to 2.0 million tons based on less Black Sea competition, according to Edwardson. The lack of competition from this region also caused the USDA to increase its estimate of European Union barley exports by 300,000 tonnes. On the other hand, Ukraine barley export figures were dropped by 300,000 tonnes due to a sizeable drop in production and tight exportable supplies.

However, a check of local elevator board prices showed an upward movement in prices during the past two weeks at many locations. For feed barley, most locations reported a bump of five cents a bushel, and a few showed steady prices, according to the website smallgrains.org.

Prices for feed barley ranged from a high of $1.48 per bushel to a low of $1.30. Advancement in malting barley prices varied from a nickel to 20 cents a bushel, with a couple of locations maintaining a steady price. Prices for malting barley settled in a range from a high of $2.10 a bushel to a low of $1.68.

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