Winter Wheat Heading Behind Schedule

The national winter wheat crop is developing very slowly, thanks to cool weather.

"Just about two thirds 66% headed by May 26th," said USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey.  "10 points behind the five-year average, 5 percentage points behind the 71% we saw last year at this time."

Rippey noted right now there is no measurable heading in Montana and South Dakota, which is dramatic for this time of year.  But the news isn't all bad.

"With some of the wetness in, especially the soft red production areas, we are seeing a decline in condition. The percentage of winter wheat rated good to excellent- down 5 percentage points to 61% week over week and that compares favorably still though to last year to 38% a year ago."

Roughly 9% was rated very-poor to poor, up a point from last week, but way below last year's 34% very-poor to poor.

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