Wheat Harvest Looks To Wrap Up Nationally

Wheat harvest continues across the Northwest, but when it comes to national numbers, growers are in the home stretch.  USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey said as of Monday August 18th, 96% of the winter wheat acreage nationwide has been cut.

“One point ahead of the five-year average, one point ahead of last year and with this final report on the 18th of August only two states have at least one quarter. Of their winter wheat crop still in the field that is Montana 75% harvested in Idaho 72% harvested.”

Meanwhile, when it comes to spring wheat, as of Monday, 31% of the crop has been harvested nationwide.

“That is five points behind the five-year average, four points behind last year.  The harvest progress ranges from 21% complete in North Dakota to 70% complete in South Dakota.  We are still seeing at least another week. Well, we'll see it next week, at least for spring week condition, but with a third of the crop almost harvested, these numbers should be pretty well locked in.  We're looking at a spring wheat crop that is going to finish up near [When you take a look at the quality of this year’s harvest] 73% is rated good to excellent, 5% very poor to poor, far better than last year's numbers.”

Rippey added thanks to the heat that hit late in the season, leading to a lot of dryness, Washington is the only state that saw a big drop in conditions.  This week, 18% of the spring wheat Crop is rated very poor to poor.

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