Update on Xerpha and herbicide use; winter wheat crop progress

Farm and Ranch April 28, 2010 Dow AgroSciences representative Jim Zahand in Washington is again recommending the use of the herbicide PowerFlex on Xerpha soft white winter wheat provided label instructions are followed. There had been a report of crop injury to a field of Xerpha treated with PowerFlex.

In an email Zahand states he talked to a number of crop advisors and learned that over 5-thousand acres of Xerpha had been treated this spring with PowerFlex under a wide range of conditions without significant crop response. He stated the variety may be more sensitive than some other varieties, but if PowerFlex label precautions are followed it can used.

Weekly crop ratings from the USDA show a mixed bag over the past week for winter wheat in the Pacific Northwest. Idaho’s crop improved five points from last week to 92 percent good to excellent. Oregon’s winter wheat gained a point to 54 percent good to excellent. In Washington the crop dropped from 76 percent to 69 percent good to excellent.

On a national basis USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the winter wheat crop is still looking pretty good.

Rippey: “Overall the 2010 winter wheat crop 69% good to excellent. And looking back at a string of recent years the only year comparable in condition in this week in April back in 2005 the crop was rated 68% good to excellent at this time.”

Development of the crop is running behind though. Just 14 percent of the winter wheat had headed. That compares to 21 percent last year and for the five year average.

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on Northwest Aginfo Net.