Dec. 10, 2015

Dry edible bean production in Nebraska is forecast at 3.12 million hundredweight (cwt) for 2015, down 18% from last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

According to the December 2015 USDA production forecast, Nebraska ranked fourth in the nation in overall dry edible bean production, after North Dakota, Michigan and Minnesota. It ranks first in great northern bean production, second in light red kidney production, and second in pinto production.

Total planted area, at 140,000 acres, is down 25,000 acres from 2014. Harvested area, at 131,000 acres, is down 21,000 acres from last year. Planted and harvested acres are down 15% and 14%, respectively, from last year. The forecasted yield for 2015 is set at 2,380 pounds per harvested acre, 120 pounds less than last year.

Pinto beans account for 60.3% of the total production; at 1.88 million cwt, they are up from 1.55 million cwt in 2014. Great northern beans account for 24.5% of total production, while light red kidney beans were 9.6%, black beans 3.4%, and navy beans 0.8%. All other bean classes represent 1.5% of the state’s total production.

For the larger perspective on dry edible bean production in the US, see the USDA national report, pages 8-12