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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:  William Blackson
Tuesday, February 17, 2009

www.nass.usda.gov/ny

                    NEW YORK FIELD CROP VALUE INCREASES

The value of production of New York's principal field crops during 2008
totaled $1.04 billion, up 16 percent from 2007, according to Stephen Ropel,
Director of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York Field
Office.

Grain corn production was valued at $396 million, up 11 percent from 2007.
Price per bushel averaged $4.30 compared with $5.05 a year earlier. A 31
percent increase in production resulted in the large increase in the value
of the crop.

Oat production was valued at $12.0 million, up 29 percent from 2007. The
increase was a result of an increase in production and price per bushel.
The season average price of $2.85 per bushel was up 16 cents from 2007.

Winter wheat was valued at $50.0 million, up 60 percent from a year ago.
The price of wheat averaged $6.50 per bushel compared with $6.92 in 2007.
This price decrease was offset by a 71 percent jump in production.

Barley production was valued at $2.22 million, up 49 percent from the 2007
value. Production decreased by 13 percent but prices increased to $4.75 per
bushel from $2.76 a year earlier.

The value of the 2008 soybean crop was set at $85.8 million, down 3 percent
from the previous year. Production was up 31 percent but was offset by a
decrease in price per bushel.  Price per bushel was estimated at $8.25
compared with $11.20 in 2007.

Alfalfa dry hay production was valued at $169 million, up 12 percent from
the 2007 value of $151 million.  The value per ton for 2008 crop hay was
$179.00 compared with $150.00 in 2007.

Dry beans were valued at $20.1 million, up 97 percent from the 2007 value
of $10.2 million.  The increase was the result of a 45 percent increase in
production and a leap in price per hundredweight which averaged $62.00
compared with $41.20 a year ago.

The value of potatoes, at $94.6 million, was up 54 percent from 2007.
Prices averaged $16.60 per cwt. during 2008 compared with $11.80 a year
earlier.  Production was up 9 percent from 2007 due to higher yields.

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2-17-09