Missouri Ag News Headlines Missouri Wheat Production Forecast Higher Missouri Ag Connection - 05/11/2012 Missouri production of winter wheat is forecast at 35.7 million bushels, based on conditions as of May 1, 2012, 5 percent above last year's production and 183 per-cent above the 2010 crop. Yields in the State are expected to average 51 bushels per acre, up 1 bushel from the 2011 yield and 6 bushels per acre above 2010. Harvested acres are forecast at 700,000 acres, up 20,000 acres from last year and 420,000 acres from 2010. "Wheat maturity has been three to four weeks ahead of normal statewide after a mild winter and spring, with an unusually warm March," said Robert Garino, acting director, Missouri Agricultural Statistics. "The current 94 percent headed is higher than any year we have on record back to 1981. The current 69 percent of the crop rated good to excellent is as high as it has been since 2004 and the second highest on record." Across the state, wheat harvested acres are expected to be lower in the southeast part of state this year versus last year, while increasing in the northern half of the state. Likewise, yields are expected lower in the southeast compared to last year and higher in the northern half. United States winter wheat production is forecast at 1.69 billion bushels, up 13 percent from 2011. The area expected to be harvested for grain or seed totals 35.6 million acres, up 10 percent from last year. Based on May 1 conditions, the United States yield is forecast at 47.6 bushels per acre, up 1.4 bushels from last year. MMay 1 hay stocks in Missouri are estimated at 1.025 million tons, 16 percent of the 2011 production. This is down 23 percent from last year at this time and the smallest since 900 thousand tons in 2008. Drought conditions in much of the state last year contributed to the lowest hay production in the state since 1988. Lower cattle inventories kept usage down and supplies from declining further. Send this article to a friend Other Missouri Headlines Powdery Mildew, Septoria Spotted in Wheat Fields Premium Standard Changes Name to Murphy-Brown of Missouri A Holiday for Everything Tree Farmer of the Year to Host Field Day MLB Teams Plan Series of FFA Day at the Ballpark Games Truman's Grandview Farm Takes Center Stage May 23 Regional Grazing School to be in Johnson County Copyright © 2013 - USAgNet.com. All Rights Reserved.