Market News

Informa sees winter wheat just over 1.5 billion bushels

Major analytical firm Informa Economics expects this year's U.S. winter wheat crop to hit 1.535 billion bushels. That's down 333 million bushels from last year because of smaller planted area and crop loss following to drought in Oklahoma and Texas. The yield is estimated at45.0 bushels per acre, compared to 2008's average of 47.2 bushels per acre.

The hard red winter crop is seen at 882 million bushels, down 153 million on the year, with average yield at 37.7 bushels per acre, compared to 2008's average of 40. Soft red winter isestimated at 436 million bushels, 178 million less than last year, but the yield is expected to be about steady with Informa's guess at 61.6 bushels per acre.

USDA's winter wheat production estimate is due out Tuesday, May 12 at 7:30 AM Central.