USDA: Good News & Bad News For Winter Wheat

When taking a look at the latest winter wheat numbers nationally, it's a mixed bag. Clear dry weather across many of the top wheat states has led to a brisk clip when it comes to planting, but many of these same areas are short on moisture which is hurting establishment and emergence. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey said nationally, 35% of winter wheat plantings complete, which is ahead of the five-year average of 33%, and one point ahead of last's year's 34%.

"As we've seen pretty much all along, we're seeing Colorado and Nebraska leading  the great plains, and now the nation in planting progress. 66% is planted in Colorado which is ahead of the 5-year average of 57%.  60% is planted in Nebraska, which is just a bit behind the 5-year average of 66%."

When it comes to emergence nationally, Rippey said one tenth of the crop is emerged which is two points ahead of the five year average and two points ahead of where we were last year.

"Leading the way in emergence is Washington state at 32%. On the Great Plains we do see some delayed emergence likely due to dryness in states like Colorado which is 19% emerged versus the 5-year average of 27%.  Nebraska is also dry in many areas; 15% emerged versus 27% on average," Rippey noted.

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