Dec. 20, 2013

Dry edible bean production in Nebraska is forecast at 2.75 million hundredweight (cwt) for 2013, down 14% from last year and reflective of national decreases, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Nebraska continues to rank first in great northern bean production with 62,000 acres of the 75,900 acres planted nationally.

Overall dry edible bean production in Nebraska, at 130,000 acres planted, is down from 145,000 acres in 2012. Harvested area, at 117,000 acres, is below last year’s 133,000 acres harvested. Planted and harvested acres are down 10% and 12%, respectively, from last year. The statewide yield for 2013 is set at 2,350 pounds per harvested acre, 50 pounds lower than last year.

Great northern beans account for 45.2% of the total production; at 1.24 million cwt, they are up from 1.09 million cwt in 2012. Pintos account for 42.7% of total production, light red kidney 6.7%, and blacks 3.4%. All other bean classes represent 2.0% of the state’s total production.

Nationally, dry bean production was down in all categories:

• 1,341,500 acres were planted in 2013, down from 1,742,500 acres in 2012.
• 1,297,400, acres were harvested in 2013, down from 1,690,400 in 2012.
• Yield per acre in 2013 was 1,854 lb/ac, down from 1,889 lb/ac in 2012.
• Production in 2013 was 24,059,000 cwt, down from 31,925 cwt in 2012.

To view the national data by state and by commercial class, see the national USDA report.