Winter and spring wheat crop progress
Farm and Ranch June 17, 2009 Development of the winter wheat crop in the Pacific Northwest is a little behind average in Washington and Idaho. About 81 percent of Washington’s winter wheat was headed at the start of this week, five points behind the five year average. In Idaho 41 percent of the winter wheat was headed compared to the five year average for now of 47 percent. In Oregon the crop is well ahead of last year and one point ahead of average at 94 percent headed. Umatilla County Wheat League Growers president Tanner Hawkins said at the Pendleton Field Day he thinks harvest should be about right on schedule. Hawkins: “We have a little bit of ground down in the Echo area and we will start that about the 4th of July, the 5th of July, whatever that Monday is. But around here I think it is going to be pretty normal. If these temperatures keep up I think it is going to be pretty close to normal. I think it is going to be a good harvest. I am pretty excited about it.” Of course the winter wheat harvest is underway in the Southern Plains but USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the pace of harvest is slower than normal. Rippey: “Overall just nine percent of the winter wheat harvested. Four percent in the last week, and that is behind the five year average of 19%.” Most of the U.S. spring wheat has emerged though in North Dakota 11 percent of the crop had yet to come up along with a little in Minnesota and Montana. Nationally, the spring wheat crop is rated in better condition than a year ago at this time at 75 percent good to excellent. The U.S. barley crop is also in better shape than last year at 80 percent good to excellent and so is the corn crop at 70 percent good to excellent compared to a year ago‘s 56 percent good to excellent. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network. ?
