united states department of agriculture www ers usda gov electronic outlook report from the economic research service vegetables and melons gary lucier alberto jerardo dry bean crop lower potato area down first official forecast 2004 us edible production indicated a 5 percent reduction year earlier harvested 3 per acre yield 2 are each with expected to be in 10 18 surveyed is nebraska 39 but higher michigan up 20 minnesota despite 7 improvement yields california drop 1 million hundredweight cwt state s smallest on record fall 6 projected by decline last demand irrigation water shortages were cited for reduced acreage potatoes some western central smaller chipstock contract volume due surpluses 2003 as well wet spring
