Barley production forecast down 20% from 2023 despite 72% of acreage rated in good to excellent condition
Production is forecast at 149 million bushels, down 20 percent from 2023. Acreage updates were made following a thorough review of all available data. Based on conditions as of August 1, the average yield for the United States is forecast at 79.1 bushels per acre, up 6.7 bushels from last year. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 1.88 million acres, down 7 percent from the Acreage report released on June 28, 2024, and down 26 percent from last year.
Fifty-six percent of the Nation's barley acreage had reached the headed stage by July 7, equal to last year but three percentage points behind the 5-year average. Eighty-four percent of the Nation's barley acreage had reached the headed stage by July 21, three percentage points behind last year and 5 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Ninety-seven percent of the Nation's barley acreage had reached the headed stage by August 4, one percentage point behind last year and 2 percentage points behind the 5-year average. By August 4, barley producers had harvested 7 percent of the Nation's barley crop, 6 percentage points behind last year and 4 percentage points behind the 5-year average. On August 4, seventy-two percent of the Nation's barley acreage was rated in good to excellent condition, 22 percentage points above the same time last year.
You can access the August USDA NASS Crop Production Report; along with other historical acreage, production, and stock reports, from the AMBA website.
You can find additional barley data at the NASS website.
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Ashley McFarland
Vice President
American Malting Barley Association
Brookfield WI
(208) 215-0407
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