http://www.nass.usda.gov/wa/ National Agricultural Statistics Service provides timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U. S. agriculture. en-us 60 http://www.nass.usda.gov/rss/logo.gif http://www.nass.usda.gov/wa/ Copyright 2006 nass-wa@nass.usda.gov http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Washington/Publications/Current_News_Release/wwhtmay.pdf Winter wheat production in the U.S. in 2008 is forecast at 1.78 billion bushels, up 17 percent from 2007. Expected area for harvest as grain or seed totals 40.2 million acres, up 12 percent from last year. Based on May 1, 2008 conditions, the U.S. yield is forecast at 44.3 bushels per acre, up 2.1 bushels from the previous year. In Washington, production is expected to reach 108.4 million bushels, up slightly from 2007 but down from the 118.8 million bushels harvested two years ago. http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Washington/Publications/Current_News_Release/prosplnt.pdf According to a survey conducted in the first two weeks of March 2008, Washington growers expect to plant 170,000 acres of field corn, 25,000 fewer acres than last year, according to Dave Knopf, Director of the Washington Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. 'Good moisture in the growing areas and above average prices has made the outlook favorable for all spring crops.' Washington barley growers seeded 220,000 acres, 6 percent below last year and spring wheat growers intend to plant 600,000 acres, up 33 percent from 2007. Winter wheat planted acreage in Washington is expected to reach 1.75 million acres, 2 percent above 2007. http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Washington/Publications/Current_News_Release/grstkmar.pdf The quantity of wheat stored in all positions in Washington on March 1, 2008 was lower than the quantity being stored on March 1 a year earlier. Dave Knopf, State Director for the USDA, NASS, Washington Field Office stated that 'Wheat stocks in Washington totaled 45.7 million bushels, a decrease of 24 percent from March 1, 2007. This is the lowest March 1 wheat stocks since 1974.' http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Washington/Publications/Current_News_Release/census0308.pdf With planting season upon us, U.S. farmers and ranchers still have a chance to sow a seed for their future by standing up and being counted in the 2007 Census of Agriculture. 'We’ve already received more than 1.8 million completed Census forms, and we sincerely appreciate the dedication and effort of the many farmers and ranchers who have responded,' said David Knopf, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Washington Field Office. http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Washington/Publications/Current_News_Release/coestrel.pdf Selected agricultural county estimates will be available on the USDA/National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Washington Field Office website at www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Washington under County Estimates, according to the following schedule. Current and historical county estimates are also available on 'Quick Stats.' Quick Stats is the NASS agricultural statistics database that can be used to query US, State, and County data and also the Census of Agriculture. http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Washington/Publications/Current_News_Release/health08.pdf NASDA interviewers representing USDA's Washington Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service are contacting local farmers and ranchers asking financial questions for the 2007 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). The study is being conducted during February and March. Producers will be asked for detailed facts on production expenses, assets, liabilities, sales, and operation characteristics.