National Winter Wheat Planting Continues At A Slow Pace

Weather continues to be a challenge for growers trying to plant their winter wheat crop.

“Producers are still attempting to plant around rain events, even some snow in western Montana about a week ago," said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. "That has taken the overall planting progress for winter wheat to 63% by October 18th. That is a 12-point increase over the previous week, but leaves the country well behind the five-year average of 69% planted.”

NW Planting Numbers Some Of The Best In The Nation

Northwest growers are on the opposite end of that spectrum, as all three states are reporting planting figures head of their respective five-year averages.

Oregon saw the biggest week-over-week jump, with 81% of the crop planted, well ahead of the five-year average of 66%. 90% of Idaho’s crop is in the ground, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 89%, while Washington continues to lead the nation, with 96% of the winter wheat crop planted, compared to the five-year average of 90%.

When looking at emergence numbers from Sunday October 18th, Washington reported 80%, Idaho 56% and Oregon 48%.