Winter Wheat Plantings Up Year Over Year

Winter wheat planting for the nation is a head of schedule. Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist said as of Sunday, one tenth of the 2021 Winter Wheat crop was in the ground, which is two points ahead of the five-year average and four percentage points ahead of this time last year. He noted the two states leading the planting charge, Washington and Colorado.

"Washington State, 44% planted ten points ahead of average. Colorado is 30% planted and 19% is the 5-year average.  Although conditions have been generally favorable for planting across the plains and northwest, there have been some sharp temperature extremes," Rippey continued. "It has also been rather smokey and there have been a few wildfires in some of the Northwestern production areas."

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com