News
19.02.2010
US wheat plantings to hit lowest levels in almost a century
US winter wheat planted area is forecast to hit the lowest level in almost 100 years.
Poor weather, huge global supplies and low prices are all working against farmers.
US Agriculture Department chief economist Joe Glauber has told US farm leaders at an annual conference that the winter wheat planted area is forecast to be down 14 per cent this year.
"This is the lowest level since 1913. The late row-crop harvest and wet weather delayed winter wheat plantings in most states last fall," he says.
Mr Glauber says another expected world bumper crop this year will also pressure US exports, expected to be at the lowest level in nearly 40 years.
ABC
