UNITED STATES-TEXAS WHEAT PRODUCTION DOWN 37%.
According to an April 1 survey conducted by the USDA-NASS, Texas Field Office, Texas wheat producers expect to harvest 62.4 million bushels this year, down 37 percent from 2008, and 56 percent less than the 2007 crop.
Planted acreage for the 2009 crop is estimated at 6.1 million acres, up 5 percent from 2008, but 2 percent less than 2007. Production on the Northern High Plains is expected to total 27.3 million bushels, down 24 percent from a year ago. The Low Plains is expected to harvest 11.8 million bushels, a decrease of 57 percent from 2008. Producers on the Blacklands expect to harvest 11.6 million bushels, down 30 percent from last year.
On April 1, 64 percent of the winter wheat acreage was rated poor to very poor, compared to 47 percent poor to very poor last year. Texas is the only State that makes an April 1 winter wheat production forecast. The first national wheat production forecast will be released on May 12, 2009.