WASHINGTON — The preliminary national average price received by farmers for all wheat in September was $4.30 per bu, down 53c from $4.83 in August and down $3.13 from the September 2008 average of $7.43, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest

The average price paid for winter wheat in September was $4.03 a bu, down 64c from $4.67 in August and down $2.96 from $6.99 in September 2008.

The average price paid for durum was $4.93 a bu, down 97c from $5.90 in August and down $6.97 from $11.90 in September 2008. Spring wheat other than durum averaged $4.72 a bu in September, down 80c from $5.52 in August and down $3.04 from $7.76 in September 2008.

The average price paid for rough rice was $14 per cwt, down 60c from $14.60 in August and down $2.90 from $16.90 in September 2008.

The September index of prices received for food grains was 154 compared with the 1990-92 base of 100, down 8.3% from the revised August index of 168 and down 38% from the September 2008 index of 249.

The September index for feed grains was 144, down 4% from a revised 150 the previous month and down 34% from 218 in September 2008. The average price received for corn in September was $3.32 a bu, down 1c from $3.33 in August and down $1.69 from $5.01 in September 2008. Farmers received an average of $5.16 a cwt for grain sorghum in September, down 21c from $5.37 in August and down $2.83 from $7.99 in September 2008. The average price paid for oats in September was $1.80 a bu, down 6c from $1.86 in August and down $1.49 from $3.29 in September 2008.

The U.S.D.A. index of September prices received for oil-bearing crops was 160, down 17% from a revised 193 in August and down 10% from 178 in September 2008. The national average price paid to farmers for soybeans was $9.85 a bu, down 95c from $10.80 in August and in September 2008.

The August index for dairy products was 97, up 5.4% from a revised 92 the previous month but down 30% from 139 in September 2008. The average price paid for manufacturing grade milk in September was $11.90, up 60c from $11.30 in August but down $5.60 from $17.50 in September 2008.

The egg and poultry index was 129, down 3% from a revised 133 in August and down 13% from 149 a year ago. The average price paid to farmers for all eggs was 75c, down 1c from 76c in August but down 25c from $1 in September 2008.