Winter wheat planting and emergence
Farm and Ranch October 14, 2009 Planting of the U.S. winter wheat crop is running just a little behind average. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey updates where seeding stood to start this week. Rippey: “For the winter wheat crop, a cold damp wheat on the plains. Planting trailed off a bit. Sixty-four percent now planted falling behind the five year average of 69%. We have reached the 90% mark on planting or more in Colorado, Nebraska, Montana and Washington state. But also in the Midwest we see delays again being perpetuated by the wet conditions. Illinois and Indiana 31 points behind their respective five year planting pace for winter wheat.” Planting in Washington at 93 percent complete is ahead of the five year average. The planting pace in Idaho is also ahead at 77 percent seeded. Winter wheat planting in Oregon is now 51 percent complete, eight points behind average. Emergence of the winter wheat crop is ahead of the five year average in all Pacific Northwest states with Washington at 71 percent emerged, Idaho 33 percent and Oregon at 25 percent. Emergence nationally is just one point behind at 39 percent. This week’s Crop Weather Bulletin from Washington says dry conditions prevail for most winter wheat growing counties in the state. The lack of moisture could have led to damage to small emerged wheat from sub-freezing temperatures. Also recent wind storms blew out planted winter wheat in some areas. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network. ?
