05/22/07 Northwest winter wheat ratings slip a little more

Farm and Ranch May 22, 2007 The latest winter wheat crop ratings from the USDA show the condition of the crop slipping a little again in the Pacific Northwest from the previous week. Idaho's crop has the best ratings at 92 percent good to excellent, down a point from last week. Oregon's winter wheat is rated 81 percent good to excellent, also down a point from a week ago. In Washington 61 percent of the winter wheat is in good to excellent condition compared to 66 percent last week. Washington Wheat Commission Chairman Randy Suess says recent warm temperatures had some growers in his state concerned, however; Suess: "I think overall the winter wheat crop is going to be in good shape for out state and we are seeing an increase in winter wheat over last year. Spring crops might be a different situation." Washington's spring wheat crop is rated 58 percent good to excellent, Idaho's 78 percent good to excellent. Both are down several points from a week ago. There is a lot attention being paid to the U.S. corn group this year in part due to ethanol demand. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest on planting. Rippey: "Corn planting at 92% nationally. Last year at this time we were at 91% so we have surpassed that pace despite the wet start. And the five year average for corn planting at this time is 86%." And the first ratings for this year's crop puts U.S. corn in 78 percent good to excellent condition compared to only 66 percent a year ago. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.