Winter Wheat Behind Average Nationally, Looking OK in Northwest

When taking a look at the latest winter wheat numbers, planting are running well behind normal.  And as USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey points out, much of that is due to Mother Nature.

"Amid the very cold and even frozen conditions, still, at least on paper attempting to plant winter wheat."

Rippey noted growers have managed to get 93% in the ground, but that's 4% behind last year's pace as well as the five-year average.  Several states are running further behind than that, such as Arkansas, North Carolina and California.  Here in the Northwest, plantings are on par for this time of year.

When taking a look winter wheat that has emerged.

"It was a terribly cold week last week across the Great Plains and in the western and even southeastern production areas. So, we only saw four more percent of the winter wheat emerging in the last week to reach 81% overall,” Rippey said.

Locally, 87% of Washington winter wheat has emerged, well off of last year's 96%, and even the five-year average of 91%.​