May 13, 2009
US winter wheat output seen to drop 20 percent in 2009
The USDA said Tuesday (May 12) the US will produce 1.5 billion bushels of winter wheat this year, a 20-percent decline from about 1.9 billion last year.
One of the biggest production declines of winter wheat is expected in Oklahoma, the USDA said in its crop production report released Tuesday. Farmers in Oklahoma are forecast to produce just 80.5 million bushels in 2009, a sharp decline from 166.6 million bushels in 2008.
"Oklahoma and Texas experienced drought-like conditions during emergence and most of the growing season," the USDA said. "As a result, dryland yields are expected to suffer from the lack of moisture throughout plant development and grain set."
Texas is forecast to produce 64.8 million bushels of winter wheat this year, down from 99 million bushels in 2008, according to the report.
