08/05/08 Wheat harvest still lagging

Farm and Ranch August 5, 2008 The USDA reports that 86 percent of the U.S. winter wheat crop had been harvested to start this week. Department meteorologist Brad Rippey says that is behind the five year average pace for now of 92 percent complete and that's because of the Pacific Northwest and Montana. Rippey: "The only states where we see more than half the acreage left to harvest, Idaho only nine percent complete, Montana 16 percent and Washington 42 percent. Montana the furthest behind. That 16% number in Montana well behind the five year average of 62%." The winter wheat harvest pace in Oregon is actually two points ahead of average at 65 percent complete. Oregon is also running well ahead of normal in the harvesting of spring wheat. Idaho and Washington are running behind the average pace with USDA's Rippey saying South Dakota is lagging the most. Rippey: "South Dakota the farthest behind compared to average. Only nine percent harvest. Five year average should be 56%." Dryness in Washington, North Dakota and Montana led to a lower crop condition report for spring wheat from last week and the crop's condition remains significantly lower than this time last year. Only eight percent of the U.S. barley crop has been harvested compared to the five year average of 20 percent at this time. Oregon's cut over fifty percent of its barley but harvest completion in Washington is only 15 percent and in Idaho just three percent for barley I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.