09/11/07 Winter wheat seeding progress mixed

Farm and Ranch September 11, 2007 The 2007 winter wheat crop is in the bin and now growers have begun planting the crop to be harvested in 2008. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has the department's first national progress report on how the seeding is going. Rippey: "We have six percent of the winter planted as of September 9th. That compares to the five-year average of ten percent." Rippey says some of the delays are due to wetness in areas like the southern plains states of Texas and Oklahoma. Other areas of the Plains, such as South Dakota, have been delayed as well. Rippey: "South Dakota running behind schedule ten percent planted. Five-year average there 18%." But elsewhere in winter wheat country; Rippey: "Contrast that to the Northwest where it has been dry. Idaho getting off to a quick start; 14% planted. Five-year average there 7%." In Oregon eight percent of the winter wheat has been sown, just behind the nine percent last year at this time, but ahead of the five year average of three percent. Washington has the most winter wheat planted of any state right, now. Thirty-nine percent of its crop is in the ground. That's well ahead of last year's pace and also ahead of the five year average of 31 percent. Rippey says the condition of the U.S. corn crop continues to improve. Rippey: "Sixty-one percent good to excellent. That is a slight improvement from last week, 59% and also last year at this time 59%." Harvest of the nation's corn crop is underway with eight percent cut compared to the five year average of five percent. ` I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.