USA: USDA lowers barley harvest estimate to 180 million bushels

Barley production in the United States is estimated at 180 million bushels, down 2% from the August 1 forecast and down 15% from last year, according to the USDA, AgReport said September 29.

Average yield per acre, at 61.0 bushels, is down 0.2 bushel from the previous forecast and 3.8 bushels below 2005.

The area harvested for grain is estimated at 2.95 million acres, down 1% from August and 10% below a year ago. 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.

Acreage harvested is down 90,000 in Idaho, 80,000 in Montana, 65,000 in North Dakota, and 15,000 in Washington. Production is down throughout the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains, partly due to the decreased acreage, but also because yields are down in these areas due to dry conditions during most of the growing season.

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