WINTER WHEAT SEEDINGS DOWN FROM LAST YEAR

Columbia, S.C., January 12, 2005: WINTER WHEAT seeded in SOUTH CAROLINA during the fall of 2004 for the 2005 crop is estimated at 180,000 acres, the USDA NASS South Carolina Statistical Office announced today. This is 5 percent below the crop of 2004, planted during the fall of 2003, and down 10 percent from the 2003 crop year. Planting of the 2005 crop was aided by periodic rains and warm weather during October and November. Condition of the wheat acreage is mostly good.

WINTER WHEAT seeded area for 2005 in the UNITED STATES is expected to total 41.6 million acres, down 4 percent from 2004. Seeding began last August and advanced ahead of the 5-year average pace until the middle of October, when wet weather slowed progress. Nearly all of the U.S. acreage was seeded by December 1. Most remaining intended area is in the Southeast and California. Although frequent rainfall hampered seeding progress in many areas, the precipitation was beneficial and contributed to record high condition ratings throughout much of the fall. Approximate class acreage breakdowns are: Hard Red Winter, 30.5 million; Soft Red Winter, 6.6 million; and White Winter, 4.5 million.

For additional information call:

                                     Robert A. Graham, State Director

                                     Steve Pavlasek, Deputy Director