Virginia wheat crop expected to top 2013 production, state forecasts 1 percent increase

This year's wheat crop in Virginia is expected to top last year's crop by 1 percent.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Monday that growers are expected to produce about 17.2 million bushels in 2014, compared to 17.1 million bushels in 2013.

Flue-cured tobacco production is expected to increase by 7 percent to 50.6 million pounds.

The department says in a news release that Virginia's barley crop is expected to decline by 25 percent to about 2.5 million pounds.

The forecast is based on conditions on July 1.