10/08/08 Winter wheat planting and crop emergence

Farm and Ranch October 8, 2008 On a national basis at least, planting of the U.S. winter wheat crop is now close to the five year average pace for now. That's also the case for emergence of the winter wheat crop. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest crop progress report. Rippey: "The winter wheat planting progress seeing the number approaching the normal 59% planted by the 5th of October. And we are seeing with some warm, dry weather on the high plains last week, progress moving along very nicely. Kansas, after planting 25% of the crop a week ago planted another 27% this week to reach 64%. And that now moves ahead of the five year average of 59%. Winter wheat emergence, good week for that with the warm weather and some showers moving into the northwest late in the week. Twenty-eight percent of the wheat emerged. That is double the number from last week of 14% and getting very close to the five year average 30% for October 5th. We are seeing more than half of the crop emerged now in Colorado at 54% and Nebraska at 53% and approaching that mark in the northwest in Washington state, 47% percent emerged." Washington had 78 percent of its winter wheat planted to start this week. Seeding in Idaho was 67 percent complete. In Oregon just 35 percent of the crop had been planted. USDA reports 14 percent of the U.S. corn crop has been harvested. That compares to the five year average for now of 30 percent. Washington has harvested 64 percent of its potatoes, Idaho 52 percent. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.