Winter Wheat Continues To Struggle In The South

When it comes to the winter wheat crop nationally, growers in the southern U.S. continue to report poor conditions.

"With respect to winter wheat, we're continuing to watch Texas. 39% of the winter wheat rated in very poor to poor condition on March 7th," noted USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. "That is largely a reflection of drought but may also incorporate some of the damage that occurred during the February deep freeze.

"As we move further to the north. We've been talking for weeks now about how the wheat in Oklahoma, has done better in part because we've seen more winter storms moving through Oklahoma and also there was good snow cover during the cold outbreak insulating the wheat," Rippey continued. "Only 10% of the crop in Oklahoma rated very poor to poor on March 7th. Kansas, especially in the western part of the state dealing with drought, and potential impacts from the cold wave there was less snow in place in February there. 27% of the number one production state, Kansas, winter wheat rated in very poor to poor condition."

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