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. Beginning stocks, estimated at 22 million cwt, are down 21 percent from a year earlier. Imports are projected at a record 10.8 million cwt, up 2 percent from a year earlier and continuing a long-term expansion.