Winter Wheat Planting Slightly Behind the Usual Pace

Across the country winter wheat growers are just slightly behind the usual planting pace, but emergence of the crop is on schedule and the crop condition rating is far better than a year ago. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says

Rippey: "Dryness is causing some producers to delay planting in a few areas. In Kansas, 84 percent planted versus the five-year average of 89 percent. Texas 66 percent planted, versus the five-year average of 70 percent.

In Oregon 83 percent of the winter wheat crop has been planted which is very close to the five-year average of 80 percent.

In Washington, 90 percent of the winter winter has been planted, compared to the five-year average of 93 percent.

In Idaho, 87 percent of the crop has been planted which is a little behind compared to the five-year average of 94 percent.

Ripley: "All that warm weather recently has helped with emergence where the moisture is good and has left the crop 60 percent emerged."

In Oregon 40 percent of the crop has emerged which is ahead of the five-year average of 33 percent.

Washington's winter wheat emergence was at 70 percent, compared to the five-year average of 73 percent.

In Idaho, emergence is 76 percent is well ahead of the five year average of 60 percent.

In Colorado winter wheat emergence is at 86 percent, compared 79 percent of a five-year average.

Crop condition for winter wheat: in Idaho 71 percent is rated good to excellent; in Oregon 71 percent is good to excellent; in Washington 88 percent is good to excellent and in Colorado 59 percent good to excellent.