Nebraska Wheat Crop Down 22% from 2011; National Crop up 13% - UNL CropWatch, June 12, 2012

Nebraska Wheat Crop Down 22% from 2011; National Crop up 13% - UNL CropWatch, June 12, 2012

June 12, 2012

Based on June 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2012 winter wheat crop is forecast at 50.8 million bushels, down 15% from the May 1 forecast and down 22% from last year’s crop, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field office. Average yield is forecast at 40 bushels per acre, down 7 bushels from last month, down 5 bushels from last year and 1.4 bushels below the 10-year average.

Acreage to be harvested for grain is estimated at 1.27 million acres, down 180,000 acres or 12% from last year. This would be 94% of the planted acres, compared with 95% last year and 94% for the 10-year average. As of June 3, crop condition rated 44% good and excellent statewide, below 70% last month and 55% last year.

Crop development was about three weeks ahead of normal with 53% of the acreage turning color. Dry conditions lowered yield prospects from the May forecast.

Nationally, winter wheat production is forecast at 1.68 billion bushels, down 1% from the forecast but 13% above 2011. Based on June 1 conditions, the United States yield is forecast at 47.3 bushels per acre, down 0.3 bushel from last month but 1.1 bushels more than last year. Expected area for harvest as grain or seed totals 35.6 million acres, unchanged from May 1.

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