ROGGEN, Colo. (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture says U.S. winter wheat production is expected to be down 18 percent from last year, but plenty of spring rain in Colorado could give the state one of its best harvests in years.
The National Agricultural Statistic Service said Friday it expects U.S. production of 1.52 billion bushels, up 2 percent from the forecast last month but down 18 percent from 2008.
The Colorado harvest is projected at 88.8 million bushels, up from 57 million bushels last year.
If the USDA forecasts are correct, Colorado would vault up to having the third-highest winter wheat production in the country behind No. 1 Kansas and Washington state, which is ranked second in the forecast. Colorado was 10th last year.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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