nd-crops

NEWS RELEASE                                               Barley Varieties
                                                              July 12, 2007

            Tradition Still Top Barley Variety in North Dakota

Tradition is the top barley variety in North Dakota for 2007, for the
second year in a row. Tradition accounts for 30.4 percent of the 1.45
million acres planted, compared with 25.9 percent in 2006. Robust remains
the second most popular barley variety with 13.9 percent of the total acres
planted. For the second year, Lacey ranks the third most popular variety in
2007 with 13.6 percent of the total acres planted. Stellar-ND moves up from
sixth in 2006 to fourth in 2007 with 9.9 percent of the total acres
planted. Conlon is the fifth most popular variety in 2007 with 9.8 percent
of the total acres planted. Legacy ranks sixth accounting for 7.8 percent
of the total barley acres planted followed by Drummond and CDC Copeland,
both at 2.7 percent of the total acres planted.

Haybet, representing 2.6 percent of the total acres planted, is the top
feed variety for the fifth consecutive year and ranks ninth overall. AC
Metcalfe remains the tenth most planted variety in North Dakota with 0.5
percent of the total acres planted. AC Metcalfe is an American Malting
Barley Association (AMBA) recommended variety for 2007.

North Dakota continues to rank first in barley acreage planted in the
United States, accounting for 36 percent of the nation’s 4.04 million
acres. Planted acreage in North Dakota is 1.45 million in 2007, up 32
percent from last year. This is the highest level since 2004.

The data in this report are based on a survey of barley producers conducted
during June and July by the North Dakota Field Office of USDA’s National
Agricultural Statistics Service. State averages were produced from 853
positive reports from 3949 respondents. The AMBA and North Dakota Barley
Council provided supporting funds for the survey.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
  David Knopf, Director
  USDA, NASS, 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/