Idaho’s Rank in Production
• Idaho ranks 5th in the nation for total wheat production; and
• Idaho ranks 2nd in the nation for the production of barley.
• In 2006, Eastern Idaho was the region of the state that grew the most wheat, followed by Northern Idaho.
• Barley production was highest in the Eastern and South Central regions of the state. (2006 data, USDA-NASS)

2008 Crop Year Progress
• 71% of crop acres in the state are rated as adequate for topsoil moisture, and 7% of acres in a surplus.
• This year’s wheat group is progressing much slower than the 2007 crop year, with only 3% of winter wheat at the important “joint” stage, compared to 32% at this time last year, and an average of 23% for this time period.
• Statewide spring wheat plantings are rated at 55% complete, compared to 76% at this time last year, and 68% on average.
• Only 16% of the state’s spring wheat crop has emerged, compared to 50% in 2007, and 37% on average.
• All wheat planted in Idaho is expected to total 1.46 million acres, up 18 percent from last year. Spring wheat plantings are expected to be 540,000 acres, 15 percent more than last year. Winter wheat seedings, at 900,000 acres, increased 20 percent from the 2007 crop.
• Barley seedings are expected to total 550,000 acres, down 4 percent from last season’s 570,000 acres.
• The price received by farmers for all wheat in March 2008 was $9.61 per bushel, compared to $4.91 in March 2007. Despite the increase in the price received by farmers for their crop, the cost of inputs (fuel, fertilizer, etc.) has also increased dramatically.

The World Marketplace
National news outlets have focused a great deal of time on the national and world grain situation, including factors on both the supply and demand side of the equation. Here is some food for thought:

• USDA forecasts that the area of this country planted to the 8 major field crops will be up 7 million acres in 2008.
• Soybean acres will rebound in 2008.
• Global wheat consumption has outpaced output, putting a great deal of focus on production in 2008.
• World wheat production is forecasted to rebound in 2008/09, moving from over 603 Million MT in 2007/08 to 645-655 Million MT in 2008/09.
• Energy demand will continue to drive corn use in the United States. 31%, or over 6 billion bushels, of the U.S. corn crop will go to ethanol production.
• High corn and grain prices have other impacts. Food prices are expected to increase 3-4 percent in 2008.

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