Wheat crop progress
Farm and Ranch June 24, 2009 Crop Weather reports from the northwest say recent cooler temperatures and moisture benefited grain crops around the region. Rainfall was spotty however with some areas receiving an inch, others none. Camas County Idaho reported warmer temperatures were needed for grain crops. Heading of the winter wheat crop was about complete across the country including in Washington and Oregon. In Idaho however, only 55 percent of the crop was headed, well behind the five year average for now of 73 percent. Walla Walla County Washington reports winter wheat turning. The winter wheat harvest has been ongoing with rain delays in the hard red winter and soft red winter wheat belts. Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist says 20 percent of the U.S. crop was harvested as of June 21st, which is behind the five year average of 31 percent. Rippey: “Just getting underway in the last week, we do see a little bit of harvest progress in Illinois, Indiana and Kansas, six, six and five percent respectively, but well behind the five year averages of 38, 17 and 31% for those three states.” As for the condition of the winter wheat crop nationally: Rippey: “We are looking at 45% good to excellent, 28% very poor to poor. Last year at this time we were looking at very similar numbers 46% good to excellent, 24% very poor to poor.” Nearly all the U.S. spring wheat crop has now emerged and the that crop is rated 77% good to excellent, two points better than last week and five points better than last year at this time. The U.S. corn crop remained at 70 percent good to excellent, 11 points better than a year ago. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network. ? ?
