04/26/05 Most winter wheat still in good shape

Farm and Ranch April 26, 2005 The majority of the U.S. winter wheat crop remains in good to excellent condition but due to the recent freeze in the Plains' states there is about one percent additional wheat acreage that is in poor condition. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest details. Rippey: "Last week I was able to say that we didn't have any single states reporting more than 10% of the crop in very poor to poor condition. I can't say that this week. But very small declines. Colorado at 12% very poor to poor but 63% good to excellent. Oregon 11% very poor to poor but 62% good to excellent." Washington also saw a slight increase in the portion of its crop rated poor and very poor but the state's winter wheat crop improved to 77 percent good to excellent. Idaho's winter wheat is rated 95 percent good to excellent. Rippey reports that 18 percent of the nation's winter wheat crop is headed, which is on par with the five-year average of 17 percent. As for spring wheat planting progress, Rippey says; Rippey: "Planting nearly complete in the Northwest. Washington state 93 percent planted. Five-year average 81%. And just getting underway in Minnesota 14% planted. Five-year average is 22%. Looking at all six states across the north that grow spring wheat in large quantities, spring wheat now 40% planted compared to the five-year average of 28 percent." While planting of the U.S. corn crop at 30 percent complete to start the week was ahead of average, recent moisture in the corn belt, even some snow, could slow down planting progress this week. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.