SPRING WHEAT PRODUCTION Other Spring Wheat: Growers produced 359 million bushels (9.76 million metric tons) of spring wheat other than durum in 1983, 35 percent less than the record high set in 1982 and 30 percent less than production in 1981. The 1983 crop was the smallest since 1974. Yield averaged 31.7 bushels per acre, down 2.3 bushels from last year's record high. Area harvested totaled 11.3 million acres (4.58 million hectares), down 30 percent from the 16.3 million acres (6.59 million hectares) harvested in 1982. Area seeded for 1983 totaled 11.7 million acres (4.75 million hectares), off 29 percent from the 16.6 million acres (6.71 million hectares) seeded a year earlier. Seeding of the 1983 spring wheat crop was hampered on by cool, wet conditions in most of the Dakota's and Minnesota, but seeding was well ahead of normal in Montana. By June 1, 97 percent of the acreage was planted and 79 percent had emerged -- earlier than normal in most major producing states. These figures compare with the 5-year averages for the date of 91 and 75 percent, respectively. Harvest generally progressed well. Durum Wheat: The 1983 crop is estimated at 73.0 million bushels (1.99 million metric tons), down 51 percent from 1982, and the lowest production level since the 72.9 million bushels (1.98 million metric tons) set in 1972. Harvested yield averaged 29.3 bushels per acre this year, 5.7 bushels and 3.0 bushels below the 1982 and 1981 levels. Area harvested totaled 2.49 million acres (1.01 million hectares). Area seeded was 2.57 million acres (1.04 million hectares). Both acreage seeded and harvested were off 41 percent the 1982, and were the smallest acreages since 1970. Seeding started rapidly in North Dakota and by late May, 90 percent of the acres were seeded. This compared with 78 percent normal completion. The crop rated fair to good through most of season. Some heat stress occurred in late summer, affecting Montana's main growing area in particular. Harvest progressed well in most areas and was virtually complete by late September. The 1983 Spring Wheat Crop - Statistical Reporting Service, USDA, Reported: SPRING WHEAT OTHER THAN DURUM Acres (1000) Yield (Bu/A) Bushels (1000) --------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- State 1981 1982 1983 1981 1982 1983 1981 1982 1983 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minnesota 3,350 3,020 2,030 40.0 40.0 37.0 134,000 120,800 75,110 Montana 2,790 2,900 1,990 26.0 32.0 27.0 72,540 92,800 53,730 North Dakota 7,050 6,900 5,000 28.0 31.0 27.0 197,400 213,900 135,000 South Dakota 2,400 2,350 1,400 22.0 25.0 26.0 52,800 58,750 36,400 --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- U.S.A. 16,611 16,277 11,314 30.8 34.0 31.7 509,260 552,988 358,541