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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:  Greg Lemmons
Friday, July 11, 2008

www.nass.usda.gov/ny

NEW YORK WINTER WHEAT, OAT PRODUCTION UP

Based on the results of a survey conducted July 1, New York winter wheat and oat production is expected to be higher than a year ago, according to Stephen Ropel, Director of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York Field Office.

Winter wheat production for the Empire State is estimated at 6.79 million bushels, up 54 percent from the 4.42 million bushels produced in 2007. Yields are forecast at 58 bushels per acre, up 3 bushels from the June 1 forecast and 6 bushels above last year. Harvested acreage is projected at 117,000 acres, up 38 percent from 2007.

U.S. winter wheat production is forecast at 1.86 billion bushels, up 3 percent from the June 1 forecast and up 23 percent from 2007. Based on July 1 conditions, the U.S. yield is forecast at 46.3 bushels per acre, up 1.0 bushel from last month and 4.1 bushels above last year. Expected grain area totals 40.3 million acres, up 12 percent from last year but unchanged from the Acreage report released on June 30, 2008. Harvest progress in the 18 major producing States was 36 percent complete as of June 29. This was the same as last year’s progress but 12 points behind the 5-year average.

Production of oats in New York is estimated at 3.85 million bushels, up 13 percent from the 3.42 million bushels produced last year. Yields are forecast at 70 bushels per acre, up 13 bushels from last year.  Area for harvest is projected at 55,000 acres, down 8 percent from the previous year.

Oats production is forecast at 92.9 million bushels, 1 percent above last year’s record low 91.6 million bushels. If realized, this will be the second lowest production on record. Based on conditions as of July 1, the yield is forecast at 64.4 bushels per acre, up 3.5 bushels from 2007. Growers expect to harvest 1.44 million acres for grain or seed, down 4 percent from last year. If realized, this will be the smallest harvested area on record.  The information in this release is available by free email subscription by subscribing to New York reports at www.nass.usda.gov/ny.

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7-11-08