Wheat Looks Good, Corn Lags Behind
Winter wheat is on schedule.
Compiled by staff
Published: Nov 4, 2008
Corn harvest is starting to pick up as the soybean harvest is winding down. According to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey 86% of soybeans are out of the field, just 3% behind normal. Farmers have only 55% of the corn crop in the bin which is significantly behind the five-year average of 79%. However Rippey says that may be a good thing.
"The corn can stay for a long time without any significant quality degradations," Rippey says. "In fact in this late year with the corn drying down so late it's beneficial to leave it out there a little longer."
Rippey says that it staying out later after the season ending freeze shouldn't be a problem unless there are high winds or excessive wetness. The condition of the crop is good with 64% rated in good to excellent condition.
Winter wheat has had a good start with 90% of the crop seeded, just 2% behind average according to Rippey.
"Emergence with the warm, dry weather week last week is doing very well; 76% emerged by Nov. 2 compared to the five-year average of 78%," Rippey says. "In terms of condition we are looking at a crop that improved to 67% good to excellent; only 4% poor to very poor."
A week ago those numbers were 65% and 5% respectively Rippey says and the crop is looking far better than it did last year when it was 53% good to excellent and 13% poor to very poor. However in Oregon, the outlook is not quite so good with a third of the winter wheat crop in poor to very poor condition due to dry weather.
Permalink: Click here
Tagged: wheat, Harvest, winter wheat, usda, soybeans
|