Winter Wheat Numbers Improve But Drought Remains A Concern

Recent warm weather has help the nation’s winter wheat crop make some progress, according to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.

“Forty five percent of the winter wheat crop headed out my May 13^th, the five-year average 53%.  Last year we were faster at 61%.”

He added the crop has improved, with 36% considered good to excellent, which is up 2% from a week ago.  Meanwhile 36% of the crop is poor to very poor, which is actually a 1% point improvement in the past week.  While both ratings have improved, Rippey says problems still linger.

“We continue to see that drought stricken acreage across the southern half of the High Plains, being a big factor in the overall condition.”

Rippey noted there are high concentrations of very poor to poor wheat reported across Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.

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