Winter Wheat Crop Looks Good Nationwide

The USDA is out with its first winter wheat crop progress report of the season.  So, how are things looking nationwide?

“The national heading number on April 6 is 5%, right on par with the five-year average one point behind last year's 6%," said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.  "Leading the way on heading progress, no surprises California, that's 40% headed and that's well ahead of the five-year average of 22%.  Among our planes production states, we do see some heading progress in the south, 23% in Texas. Four points behind the five year average.”

And what is the condition of the national crop?

“The winter wheat crop is rated 48% good to excellent, 21% very poor to poor, and that compares to last year's number which was a little higher, a little better, at 56%, good to excellent and 12% very poor to poor.”

Rippey said those numbers were impacted in part by drought conditions in parts of the northern and southern plains.

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