nd-crops

NEWS RELEASE                                        Barley Varieties
                                                       July 13, 2006

           Tradition is the top barley variety in North Dakota

Tradition is the top barley variety in North Dakota for 2006, leaping from
fifth place last year.  It accounts for 26.5 percent of the total barley
acres planted.  Robust, which was North Dakota’s leading variety for 20 out
of the last 21 years, is the second most popular variety this year.  It
represents 20.2 percent of the total acres planted.  Lacey falls from
second to the third most popular variety with 14.6 percent of the total
acres planted. Conlon is the fourth most popular variety for the third
straight year.  It represents 10.4 percent of the total acres planted.
Legacy is fifth with 7.0 percent of the total acres planted, falling from
third last year.

Stellar-ND ranks sixth accounting for 4.5 percent of the total barley acres
planted, followed by Drummond with 3.7 percent of the total acres planted
in seventh place.  Haybet, representing 3.6 percent of the total acres
planted, is the top feed variety for the fourth consecutive year and ranks
eighth overall.  CDC Copeland ranks ninth with 2.7 percent of the total
acres planted.  This Canadian malting variety is not currently recommended
by the American Malting Barley Association (AMBA).  AC Metcalfe falls from
eighth last year to complete the top ten with 0.9 percent of the total
acres planted.

North Dakota continues to rank first in barley planted acreage in the
United States, accounting for 30 percent of the nation’s total.  Planted
acreage in North Dakota is 1.05 million in 2006, down 13 percent from last
year.

The data in this report are based on 592 positive reports from 3,316
respondents to a survey of barley producers conducted during June and July
by the North Dakota Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics
Service.  The AMBA and the North Dakota Barley Council provided supporting
funds for the survey.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
  David Knopf, Director
  USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Dakota Field Office
  NDSU, IACC Bldg., Room 448
  P.O. Box 3166
  Fargo, ND 58108-3166
  Telephone: (701) 239-5306
  E-Mail: nass-nd@nass.usda.gov
  Internet: http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/North_Dakota/