Plantings were a near-record in Mississippi. Based on farmer surveys conducted in early November, the national average yield is forecast at 5,929 pounds per acre, up from 5,669 pounds a year earlier, but still below the record 6,120 pounds in 1996. Yields are up in all States except Mississippi and Missouri, where they are down only slightly. Record yields are projected for Louisiana and Texas. Although California's yield is projected up 2 percent from last year's extremely low level, it is still one of the lowest since 1982.
Production is up in every State, with record crops projected for Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri.
Mississippi's crop is projected to be a near-record. Production is up for all grain types as well. Long grain production is projected at a record 152 million cwt, up 7 percent from 1998. Medium grain production is projected 55.9 million cwt, up 26 percent but still below the 1997 crop. The larger supplies result from the record crop and larger imports that are expected to more than offset a smaller carryin.