Northwest Winter Wheat Harvest Ahead Of The Five-Year Average

The national winter wheat harvest is now in its final weeks with 91% of the crop harvested. That figure is qual to the five-year average, and slightly ahead of the 89% reported this time last year. When it comes to Northwest states:

Idaho finally crossed the halfway mark at 55% harvested, which is ahead of the five-year average of 45%
Washington is reporting 67% of the crop harvested, ahead of the five-year average of 61%
Meanwhile, 85% of Oregon’s winter wheat crop has been cut, which is slightly ahead of the five-year average.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey noted growers across the PNW have had to contend with a uniquely challenging harvest.

“Despite the favorable conditions in terms of dry weather in the Northwest, it has been very difficult at times with the harvest due to wildfire smoke, and it has been very hazy and smoky with some low-quality air," Rippey said. "So it has been a bit of a challenge for a reason that is not typical in the Northwest for the latter stages of the winter wheat harvested.”

Northwest Spring Wheat Crop Looks Good

When it comes to spring wheat, 62% of Idaho’s crop is considered good to excellent, while 7% has been classified as poor to very-poor. Meanwhile, in Washington, 53% of the spring wheat crop is considered good to excellent, while 7% is poor to very-poor.

Nationally, 51% of the spring wheat crop is good to excellent, while 16% is poor to very-poor.

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