Arizona’s 2009 durum wheat production is forecast at 393,750 tons, down 10 percent from the 2008 crop, according to the Arizona office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The area for harvest is estimated at 125,000 acres, 16 percent fewer acres than a year ago. Yield is expected to average 6,300 pounds per acre.

In cotton, NASS’ figures on Arizona’s 2008 crop show area planted to upland varieties totaled 135,000 acres with 133,000 acres harvested. The average yield per acre was 1,462 pounds, down slightly from last year’s record high yield. Production totaled 405,000 bales, 21 percent less than last year.

Pima cotton was planted and harvested from 800 acres. Final Pima production totaled 800 bales, 3,800 fewer bales than 2007. Total cottonseed production was estimated at 140,300 tons, down 23 percent from 2007.