National Winter Wheat Plantings Behind Five-Year Average

Spring wheat harvest continues across the Northwest, and the nation, but growers are already looking ahead to 2027.  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey takes a look at the first winter wheat planting numbers.

"That shows on September 6th that 2% of the intended winter wheat acreage has been planted on that date," Rippey said.  "That is behind the five-year average of 5% and last year's 4% and likely reflects the impacts of the drought across the nation's midsection.  And we are seeing some early delays in some of the planting progress in a few states.”

Rippey pointed to Colorado, South Dakota and Nebraska, all of which typically have something in the ground this time of year, but have yet to start planting.  When it comes to growers across the PNW.

“Washington State, they actually had some rain, so that may have slowed fieldwork a bit there," Rippey said.  "Conditions have improved a bit. 16% of the winter wheat planted there, that leads the nation, but that is behind the five-year average of 27%.”

As of Sunday, 6% of Idaho’s winter wheat crop had been planted, which is right in line with the five-year average.  And Oregon is reporting 3% of its crop in the ground, which, again, is on par with the five-year average.  Rippey said the drought situation across the nation's midsection will continue to be a story maker as the winter wheat planting season continues.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com