E-mail: nass-ny@nass.usda.gov
(518) 457-5570

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:  Greg Lemmons
Wednesday, April 1, 2009

www.nass.usda.gov/ny



                 DECREASE OF SMALL GRAIN FARMS AND ACREAGE

The 2007 census shows that the number of farms harvesting small grains and
the acreage of small grains in New York decreased from 2002 to 2007,
according to Steve Ropel, Director of USDA’s National Agricultural
Statistics Service, New York Office.

In 2007, there were 327 farms harvesting 10,793 acres of barley.  The
number of farms is down 23 percent while the harvested acreage is down 14
percent from 2002.  Cayuga County farms harvested 1,443 acres of barley,
the most in the state.

Buckwheat farms decreased 49 percent from 2002, but harvested acres only
decreased by 27 percent.   In 2007, 2,142 acres of buckwheat were harvested
on 83 farms.  Onondaga County harvested the most in the state with 402
acres.

Emmer & spelt was harvested on 49 farms totaling 1,732 acres in 2007.
Number of farms decreased 11 percent and harvested acreage decreased 16
percent from 2002.  Yates County leads the state harvesting 486 acres.

In 2007, there were 1,809 farms harvesting 60,999 acres of oats.  The
number of farms is down 18 percent while the harvested acreage is down 9
percent from 2002.  Farms in Steuben County harvested 8,741 acres of oats,
the most in the state.

Rye farms decreased 39 percent from 2002, but harvested acres only
decreased by 36 percent.  In 2007, 6,879 acres of rye were harvested on 264
farms.  Cayuga County harvested the most in the state with 850 acres.

Triticale was harvested on 62 farms totaling 2,407 acres in 2007.  Number
of farms increased 88 percent and harvested acreage increased by 1,663 from
2002.  Cayuga County leads the state harvesting 363 acres.

In 2007, there were 1,058 farms harvesting 84,955 acres of wheat.  The
number of farms is down 29 percent, and harvested acreage is down 27
percent from 2002.  Livingston County harvested 11,956 acres of wheat, the
most in the state.

The Census, which is conducted every five years, provides facts and figures
on virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture, including number and types
of farm operations, the economic aspects of farm production and the
demographics of U.S. farm operators.  Details on this and other Census data
can be found on-line through the New York NASS web site:
 www.nass.usda.gov/ny/. U.S., State and County tables are available in PDF,
Text, and CSV files. Printed copies will be available along with the
CD-ROMS and a searchable database. For further information or assistance,
please call the New York office at 800-821-1276 or send an e-mail to:
nass-ny@nass.usda.gov.

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4-1-09