Smaller Washington winter wheat crop forecast

Washington Ag Today May 12, 2011 The first field surveyed estimate of winter wheat production in Washington this year is out. Linda Simpson with the Washington Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service says the crop could be smaller than last year.

Simpson: “Washington winter wheat growers expect to harvest more acres than in 2010 but with a lower yield. Growers expect to combine 60-thousand more acres of winter wheat this year than last year. Based on May 1 conditions the average yield at 65 bushels an acre is four bushels below last year’s average yield. If realized this production would be 3% below the 2010 crop.”

Farmers in the state are still planting spring wheat, which comprises a smaller portion of the overall Washington wheat crop. Nationally, winter wheat production is forecast to drop four percent from 2010.

Now this from Stockland Livestock.

“This is Jack McQuiness with Stockland Livestock in Davenport. 750 cattle on our market on Monday. Cow sale one to two lower according to USDA. Most of the cows in the mid-70s, high 70s was the top. Some of the younger cows into the 80-dollar money but by and large most of the trade in the 70s. Bulls topped at 98-cents and probably not as good a selection as we have seen for the bulls. Feeder cattle steady all the way around. Plenty of demand for grass type cattle of all weights and sizes, both steers and heifers. Special sale next Monday. We will sell cattle every Monday here. We always feature our feeder and stocker cattle at one o’clock. We have a real nice set of pairs coming up. We will have a special feeder and pair sale the first week in June. Don’t forget we are representatives for Northern Livestock Video. We will be accepting consignments and selling cattle for fall delivery. Call us anytime at 509-535-2444. Stockland in Davenport.

Thanks Jack.

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net.