U.S. spring wheat planting well behind
Farm and Ranch May 3, 2011 Planting of the U.S. spring wheat crop advanced only four percent this past week due to wet conditions. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that puts planting progress well behind normal. Rippey: “Ten percent planted by May 1st nationally. Five year average 43 percent. Last year 57%. The first few fields were seeded during the week ending May 1st in Minnesota. They are now at three and in North Dakota at one percent.” 15 Spring wheat planting in the Pacific Northwest is running well behind the usual pace as well though farmers are much further along with as much as 60 percent of the crop planted in Washington. On to the winter wheat crop, Rippey says its condition ratings slipped again. Rippey: “Now looking at 41% of crop in very poor to poor shape. That is up a point from last week and far above last year‘s number of 7%. But at the same time we have some very good wheat across the northern plains and the northwest. A little slow in development because of the cool weather, but still that is helping to bring that national number to 34% good to excellent.” Winter wheat in the PNW is rated in 75 percent good to excellent condition or better. Nationally winter wheat heading is ahead of average due to the dry conditions in the southern plains. It is slow going in planting the U.S. corn crop this spring too. Rippey: “Thirteen percent planted nationally by May 1st.” 03 And Rippey says that compares to the five year average for now of 40 percent planted. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on Northwest Aginfo Net.
