(USDA) The US Department of Agriculture released reporting of weather conditions that, while being perfect for corn and soybean producers, has been tough on winter wheat growers.
Planting progress has slowed to a crawl according to USDA reporter Gary Crawford, who says that the latest reports show that only 80% of the crop has been planted thus far— 4% below average and 2% below this time last year.
The blame thus far is falling on the dry conditions many areas are seeing, some producers being simply unwilling to plant during this type of weather, especially when one considers the crop conditions reports; 38% of the crop currently is rated good to excellent, conversely 28% rated very poor to poor.
Crawford continues, “not the kind of numbers you want to see as that crop tries to get established.”
