N.D. Dry Edible Bean Production Hits New Record High

By CnAgri Print

Dry edible bean production in North Dakota is forecast at 11.7 million hundredweight (cwt) for 2012, unchanged from the October 1 forecast, but up 137 percent from last year, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Dakota Field Office. This is a new record high for production, breaking the old record set in 2010 when 11.5 million cwt was produced. The increase in production from 2011 is due to increased acreage and higher yields.

Total planted area, at 700,000 acres, remains the same as October but is up from 2011's 410,000 acres. Harvested area, at 690,000, remains the same as October but is above last year's 380,000 acres harvested. Planted and harvested acres are up 71 and 82 percent, respectively, from last year. The statewide average yield for 2012 is set at a record high 1,700 pounds per harvested acre, unchanged from the October forecast, but 400 pounds higher than last year.

Pintos account for 65.5 percent of the total production; at 7.68 million cwt, they are up from 2.71 million cwt in 2011. Navies account for 18.9 percent of total production, blacks 11.4, pinks 1.9, chickpeas 1.3, and great northern 0.3. All other dry edible bean classes represent 0.7 percent of the state's total production.

Potato production in North Dakota is estimated at 25.2 million hundredweight (cwt) for 2012, unchanged from last month, but up 34 percent from last year. Total planted area is 88,000 acres, is up 5 percent from last year. Harvested area, at 84,000 acres, is the same as last month but 9 percent higher than last year. The average yield is expected to be a record high 300 cwt per harvested acre, unchanged from last month but up from 245 cwt in 2011.

The Unites States' dry edible bean production is forecast at 31.8 million cwt, up 60 percent from last year. Planted area is estimated at 1.74 million acres, up 43 percent from 2011. Harvested area is forecast at 1.70 million acres, 45 percent above the previous year. The average United States yield is forecast at 1,873 pounds per acre, an increase of 170 pounds from 2011. If realized, yield will be a record high, exceeding the previous record of 1,768 pounds set in 2008.

Production of the United States' fall potatoes for 2012 is forecast at 422 million cwt, up 8 percent from last year. Area harvested, at 991,500 acres, is unchanged from the November forecast but 6 percent above the previous year. The average yield forecast, at 425 cwt per acre, is up 9 cwt from last year's yield.