May 11, 2011

Missouri Wheat Production Up Significantly

(COLUMBIA, MO) - “Despite excessive rainfall and flooding that is hampering crop potential in the southern part of Missouri, the statewide potential is good," said Gene Danekas, Director, Missouri Agricultural Statistics. “At the beginning of the month, the crop was rated 46 percent good to excellent compared with last year when 37 percent fell into these categories. Normally, at this time of year, the crop is in 40 percent good to excellent condition.”

Missouri production of winter wheat is forecast at 37.4 million bushels, based on conditions as of May 1, 2011, an increase of 197 percent above the 2010 crop and 9 percent above 2009 crop. Yields in the State are expected to average 52 bushels per acre, up 7 bushel from the 2010 yield and 5 bushels per acre above 2009. This is the highest yield since the 54 bushels per acre in 2006. Harvested acres are forecast at 720,000 acres, up 440,000 acres from last year but down 10,000 acres from 2009.

Missouri Hay Stocks Near 10 Year Average

May 1 hay stocks in Missouri at 1.33 million tons, or 18 percent of the 2010 production, are up 6 percent from last year but down 35 percent from 2009. After below-average winter temperatures and lower cattle inventories, hay supplies are near the 10-year average May 1 level of over 1.24 million tons.

United States Winter Wheat Production Down 4 Percent from 2010

Winter wheat production in the U.S. is forecast at 1.42 billion bushels, down 4 percent from 2010. Expected area for harvest as grain or seed totals 32.0 million acres, up 1 percent from last year. Based on May 1 conditions, the United States yield is forecast at 44.5 bushels per acre, down 2.3 bushels from last year.

Hard Red Winter, at 762 million bushels, is down 25 percent from 2010. Soft Red Winter, at 427 million bushels, is up 80 percent from last year. White Winter is up 3 percent from last year and totals 235 million bushels. Of this total, 11.7 million bushels are Hard White and 224 million bushels are Soft White.