BISMARCK, N.D. — Newly released estimates for U.S. wheat, corn and soybean crops might put to rest fears a wet harvest season in many parts of the country could cut into production.

Late-season rains delayed harvest of small grains in many areas, raising concerns about whether farmers' record crops might die in the fields. But U.S. Department of Agriculture crop estimates released Tuesday show little change over the past month, and analysts now expect little — if any — changes in prices for either farmers or consumers.

The crop estimates "came mostly within expectations," said John Sanow, an analyst with the Omaha, Neb.-based market information company DTN.

Estimated U.S. spring wheat production is down less than 1 percent from the Sept. 30 estimate and durum wheat production is down 1 percent. Total production of all types of wheat is virtually unchanged, at 2.22 billion bushels.

U.S. production of both oats and barley also is almost unchanged from September, and the new figures for corn and soybeans vary only slightly from the Oct. 9 report.

The late September small grains summary, based on farmer surveys, usually is USDA's final word on production. This year, the agency took the uncommon step of recontacting farmers in Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming in late October because wet weather during the initial survey period in September had significantly delayed harvest in some areas. That meant many farmers had to guess at how much of their crop they would be able to harvest.

The slight decreases in wheat production are due largely to a drop in harvested acres of both spring wheat and durum in North Dakota, which leads the nation in production of the grains used for bread products and pasta, respectively.