USA: Idaho market trends this week

Idaho barley prices ranged 10 cents lower to 5 cents higher in southern Idaho but were unchanged in northern Idaho. USDA export sales reported no sales or exports reported last week.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, barley production in Idaho totaled 52.2 million bushels from 600,000 harvested acres, down 13 percent from last year's production. The average yield of 87.0 bushels per acre was down 5 bushels from 2004.

The total value of 2005 barley production in Idaho is estimated at $151 million, down 16 percent from 2004. The decline in barley values was due to a combination of lower prices and decreased production from 2004.