Spring Wheat Figures Behind Nationwide

The latest figures from the USDA show the spring wheat crop is well behind where it should be this time of year.  USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, said growers are struggling just to get the crop in the ground.

“Nationally, 22% of the spring wheat planted by May 5^th, well behind the five-year average, of 49%, and even behind last year’s very slow 27%.”

Rippey said the biggest delays right now are in Minnesota and South Dakota.  Meanwhile, when it comes to emergence, numbers are off there as well, thanks to not only late planting and cool conditions nationally.

“Just 4% of the spring wheat emerged by May 5^th.  The five-year average is 19%.  But, we were similarly slow last year at 4% emerged on the 5^th of May,” Rippey noted.

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