National Winter Wheat Quality Concerning, NW Numbers Look Good

Winter wheat conditions nationwide have growers concerned about crop development.  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey noted nationally, growers reported a decline in the crop's condition.

“Good to excellent rating, 30%, that was steady from a week ago, but the very poor to poor rating increased from last week's 33% to 35% this week," Rippey said.  "So that April 26 condition number places it pretty low among the last, ten years.  We have seen lower conditions for this time of year in 2018, 2022 and 2023. All those were drought years that once again repeating ourselves this year with significant drought on the high plains region.”

Rippey added there are five states of concern that he is watching very closely.

“Nebraska saw the biggest declining condition now showing 65% of the winter wheat rated very poor to poor, up from 45% a week ago," Rippey said.  "Some of that due to drought, some of that due to freeze.”

Other states of concern include Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas. 

When it comes to Northwest winter wheat numbers: 

• 92% of Washington’s crop is considered good to excellent
• 87% of Idaho’s crop is considered good to excellent 
• 58% of Oregon’s crop is considered good to excellent

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