August 1, 2007

Japanese barley buyers tour Western US to survey crops

Six barley buyers from Japan are visiting farms in the western US, including North Dakota.

The group toured the Richard Groven farm near Northwood on Monday. Groven said the buyers are looking for barley to feed cattle for expensive Kobe-style beef.

The buyers also plan to survey barley crops in Montana, Idaho and Washington.

Officials say North Dakota's barley production is expected to be up nearly 70 percent from last year - partly because of high feed prices.

Feed barley is currently worth more than US$3 a bushel, nearly double from a year ago.