UNITED STATES (12 October)
The last of the spring wheat crops were gathered by the end of September and aggregate output of wheat in 2004 was officially estimated in October at 58.9 million tonnes, 7.7 percent down from 2003. Reduced winter wheat area and yields accounted for the bulk of the decline. As of 10 October, it was reported that about 70 percent of next year's winter wheat crop had been planted, which was on par with last year’s planting pace and the 5-year average. Plants are emerging well under generally favourable conditions. In contrast to wheat, the 2004 coarse grain output is forecast to rise sharply. Production of maize is forecast to reach a record 295 million tonnes, 38 million tonnes up from 2003. As of 10 October the maize harvest was reported to be 34 percent complete, which was just slightly behind the average harvest pace.