USDA: Winter Wheat Planting On Scheduled, But Quality Has Dipped

Nationally, winter wheat producers are right on schedule when it comes to planting.  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says 92% of the intended acreage was planted by November 10th; which matches the five-year average.  While that's good, Rippey said there are some concerns.

"The biggest issue really at this point is trying to get the crop established amid this cold wave and so particularly in some of the northern areas we do have some issues with that."

Winter wheat ratings dipped 3% nationwide in the past week, with 54% rated in good to excellent condition.

"It has been a bit of a struggle in soft red winter wheat production areas and we see roughly a fifth of the crop rated very poor to poor in Illinois the number there 21% and also Michigan at 19%," Rippey added.  "A lot of reports of dryness coming in from the central high plains. Kansas statewide overall just 15% very poor to poor, but certainly a bit of a struggle in the western production areas now."

Growers in Texas continue to struggle, where 23% of the winter wheat crop is rated poor to very poor.

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