A quarter of U.S. winter wheat crop now planted
Farm and Ranch September 29, 2011 The USDA reports winter wheat planting in the U.S. has passed the one-quarter mark to 26 percent complete to start this week. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that’s behind the five year average for now of 35 percent. Rippey: “Couple of reasons for that. In the Northwest the harvest of winter and spring wheat going on so long that winter wheat planting has been delayed. On the southern plains the fact that we have such an intense drought many producers are waiting improved soil moisture before planting. That is particularly noteworthy in Texas, only 14% of the winter wheat planted by September 25th. Way behind the average pace of 34%. Similar in Oklahoma. Eleven percent planted versus 31% for the five year average as the drought drags on in that area. Winter wheat emergence needless to say is running behind with the late planting. Just 6% emerged by September 25th , ten percent is the five year average and last year’s pace.” Winter wheat planting in Washington is now actually ahead of the five year average of 65 percent with 70 percent of the crop in the ground. Seeding in Idaho is 31 percent complete, in Oregon 20 percent. Both of those are behind the five year average pace for now. USDA’s Rippey says the U.S. spring wheat harvest is just about done. Rippey: “Finally wrapping up across the northern plains. Now 96% complete. That is pretty much on par with the five year average and a bit ahead of last year‘s harvest, but still quite a bit of harvesting, 12% of the crop, still in the field in Montana.” USDA says 15 percent of the U.S. corn harvest is complete, just one point behind the five year average. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on Northwest Aginfo Net. ?
