WASHINGTON – Projected feed grain supplies for 2011-12 advanced slightly by 86,000 metric tons in March on higher oats imports from Canada, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service (ERS).

Feed-grain supplies are forecasted at 358.4 million tons, 0.1 million higher than February's projection, but 22.1 million below 2010-11. Feed grain use forecast is unchanged from February and is 12.8 million tons below the year-ago period. Ending stocks are forecast up less than 100,000 tons for March and down 29 percent from 2010-11, according to ERS data.

Feed and residual use of feed grains plus wheat is unchanged at 126.2 million metric tons based on a September-August marketing basis, ERS said. Grain-consuming animal units (GCAU), are forecast at 94 million in March, an increase from February's estimates based on higher projected broiler and turkey production that offsets lower beef production. Feed and residual use for feed grains plus wheat per animal unit declined slightly in March at 1.34 tons compared to 1.39 tons in 2010-11, ERS said.