Despite record low barley acreage, August production forecast holding steady with nearly half of the crop rating good to excellent
Acreage updates were made based on a thorough review of all available data. Total planted area, at a record low 2.30 million acres, is down 6 percent from the Acreage report and down slightly from 2025. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 1.78 million acres, down 5 percent from the Acreage report but up 1 percent from last year.
Production is forecast at 140 million bushels, down 1 percent from 2025. Based on conditions as of August 1, the average yield for the United States is forecast at 78.8 bushels per acre, up 2.9 bushels from last month but down 1.2 bushels from last year. If realized, the forecasted yield will be a record high in California, Delaware, Idaho, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Area planted is estimated at a record low level for Colorado, New York, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. Harvested area for Arizona will be a record low, if realized.
Sixty percent of the barley crop had reached the headed stage by July 5, nine percentage points ahead of last year and 8 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By July 19, eighty-nine percent of the barley crop had reached the headed stage, 14 percentage points ahead of last year and 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By August 2, ninety-eight percent of the barley crop had reached the headed stage, 9 percentage points ahead of last year and 2 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Seven percent of the barley acreage had been harvested by August 2, three percentage points ahead of last year but 2 percentage points behind the 5-year average. On August 2, forty-six percent of the barley crop was rated in good to excellent condition, 4 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.
