DENVER (AP) — Federal agriculture officials are scaling back their forecast for winter wheat production in Colorado this year.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service said Tuesday it expects a Colorado winter wheat harvest of almost 87.8 million bushels. That’s down 5 percent from the May 1 forecast, but it’s still more than the 78 million bushels produced last year.

The average yield is now forecast at 39 bushels per acre, which is two bushels below the May 1 forecast but equal to last year’s forecast.

Dry and warm spring conditions caused this year’s crop to progress two weeks faster than normal. Agriculture officials say the wheat is in mostly fair condition.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)