10/17/06 El Nino and U.S. winter wheat

10/17/06 El Nino and U.S. winter wheat

Farm and Ranch October 17, 2006 U.S. government weather forecasters say we are in a weak El Nino which they expect to become a moderate El Nino early next year. While that may mean more moisture for the dry southwestern U.S. it could mean reduced precipitation and mild temperatures this winter for the Pacific Northwest and northern Plains. Rippey: "Some of the dry areas of the Northwest are expected to remain dry with the El Nino scenario. They are in the middle of that split with storms heading both north and south of the Pacific Northwest." That's USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey who also explains how El Nino could impact the winter wheat crop in these areas. Rippey: "For some the dry areas of the Pacific Northwest that could be an impact on winter grains there. Mild in the upper Midwest normally means a minimum of snow cover in those areas. That can also have an impact on the winter grain crop. Say Montana we don't see a whole lot of snow cover and it leaves the crop exposed to potential weather extremes." Meanwhile, the USDA reported Monday that 79 percent of the U.S. winter wheat crop was planted at the start of this week. Emergence was at 52 percent. Seeding completion is just a point behind the five year average for this time and emergence is running four points behind. Winter wheat planting in the Pacific Northwest is either even with the five year average or running ahead at 92 percent complete in Washington, 84 percent complete in Idaho and 81 percent seeded in Oregon. Emergence is ahead of average in all PNW states with 72 percent of the crop up in Washington, 44 percent in Oregon and 40 percent emerged in Idaho. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
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