Good start lets NY crops ward off drought in 2012
Good start, late rains help New York crops get by drought in 2012; some grains set records
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- A strong start to the growing year allowed New York's growers to ride out drought conditions during the summer and increase crop production in several areas.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says rain in late summer and early fall of 2012 helped save crops in most of the state.
The USDA says production of grain corn, soybeans, wheat and oat crops all increased from the previous year. Soybeans were estimated at a record high 14.4 million bushels, 20 percent more than was harvested in 2011.
Barley and dry hay production fell in 2012 compared to 2011 while alfalfa hay production rose.
