Rippey: National Wheat Picture Has Improved

USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey said overall the U.S. winter wheat crop is looking healthy.

"Especially in the hard red winter wheat belt.  Nationally 64% of winter wheat is rated good to excellent, up three points from last week, just 9% very poor to poor, that’s steady from last week," siad Rippey.  "It’s far better than last year’s 37% good to excellent, 35% very poor to poor.”

He said in some portions of the Midwest, there are issues with wetness, which could increase disease pressure.  When it comes to spring wheat, Rippey was quick to point out that there is some good news.

“We have not had the extreme rain, in the northern spring wheat production areas especially near the Canadian border," Rippey continued.  "As a result, the overall good to excellent rating is 83% good to excellent on June 2^nd, just 1% very poor to poor, and that compares favorably to last year’s numbers.”

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