Winter Wheat Conditions Improve Nationally

Heading of the nation's winter wheat crop continues to move northward.

“By April 27th, we saw more than a quarter, 27%, of the U.S. winter wheat headed," said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.  "That’s ahead of the five-year average of 22%, but slightly behind last year's 28%.”

Rippey added heading has now been reported in the Central Plains and Lower Midwest.  He said recent rains in the middle portion of the county last week helped boost winter wheat crop condition week over week.

“Overall, we saw a national increase to 49%, good to excellent," said Rippey.  "That is up fairly sharply from last week, 45%. That puts us right on par with what we saw this time a year ago, 49% good to excellent. Meanwhile, very poor to poor ratings, 19% is the current number on April 27th that. Down from last week's 21% but slightly above last year's 16%."

Here in the Northwest, spring wheat and barley planting is progressing.  NASS said as of April 27th, 30% of the spring wheat crop was in the ground, ahead of the five-year average of 21%.  Meanwhile 37% of the barley crop was planted by Sunday; the five-year average is 29%.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com