May 20, 2008
 

US winter wheat conditions fall, spring wheat planting higher than average

 

 

The good-to-excellent condition rating for US winter wheat fell two percentage points compared to the preceding week, according to the USDA.

 

In Colorado, 19 percent of the crop was rated good to excellent, down from 28 percent last week.

 

Nebraska saw a similar drop. Fifty-nine percent of the crop was rated good to excellent, down from 64 percent last week. Kansas saw only a modest drop in good conditions, to 33 percent from 35 percent the previous week.

 

The drop should not be a cause for concern as it is not substantial, said John Kleist, analyst/broker for Allendale.

 

The USDA said 49 percent of the US crop was headed, down from the average of 66 percent.

 

 

Spring wheat
 

The spring wheat crop was 94 percent planted, up from 81 percent last week and above the average of 88 percent.

 

Minnesota was one of the few states to fall behind average. The crop was 91 percent planted, down from the average of 92 percent.

 

However, the state made significant gains from the week prior, when only 67 percent of the crop was seeded.

 

The USDA said 54 percent of the US crop was emerged, down from the average of 62 percent.

 

In Minnesota, 39 percent of the crop was emerged, down from the average of 63 percent. The slow emergence is likely due to the slow planting pace.